Compost Tumbler Compost Tumbler

Compost Tumbler
USER INSTRUCTIONS
Includes: Compost Tumbler, Compost Lid, Axle, Handle,
(2) Hoops, (2) Shoulders, (2) Bushes, (2) Nuts, (2) Bolts, (2) Washers
Compost Tumbler
September 2012
Revision 1
5551-000150-00-00
Home Composting System
Why Compost?
Most of the worlds waste is recyclable. From an
environmental standpoint, given the Earth’s limited
natural resources, burying re-usable materials is
not a long term solution.
Compostable kitchen and yard/garden waste
makes up the largest single component of domestic
waste at approximately 30%. Consequently, the
removal of this component by home composting
is probably the simplest and most effective
contribution that can be made to reducing landfill
requirements. It also provides a convenient supply
of soil conditioner and mulch all year round, saving
you buying expensive fertilizers or peat.
Why Our Tumbler Uses Recycled Plastic?
The wide ranging properties of plastic has led
to increasing demands for its use in all manner
of applications; paradoxically one of its central
properties, namely its durable and inert nature has
also given rise to environmental concerns over it
being non degradable.
Plastic waste is bulky and accounts for 20% by
volume of domestic waste, although 7% by waste.
Plastic is produced from oil which is a finite resource
and its intrinsic is wasted if allowed to go to landfill
sites.
It is estimated that plastic can be recycled up to
5 times without a significant loss of quality. Mixed
with virgin material we are attempting to make
maximum use of both post consumer and post
industrial plastic.
1. Inside the tumbler there are two shoulders 2. Push the axel through the body of the tumbler. 3. Slide on the bushes at each end.
and two hoops. Push them together to make the
frame.
RTS Companies Inc. | 1027 Industrial Place, P.O. Box 179, St. Clements, ON | 1-800-663-2803 | www.rtshomeaccents.com
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4. Bolt the axel to the shoulders on each side of 5. Attach the handle to the base of the tumbler 6. The tumbler has a screw top lid. To secure the
the tumbler.
by tapping the pin through either the left or right lid, line up the arrow on the body with that on
hand lug.
the lid, push down and turn clockwise until the
stop is engaged. To remove the lid reverse the
operation and lift towards you.
Siting Your Tumbler
Tumbling can take place anywhere in your garden, but preferably in a sunny spot. This will help the compost temperature
to rise and speed up decomposition. Some shelter from the wind will prevent temperature loss.
Do not sit the tumbler on a patio or lawn area with out using a catch tray under the tumbler as the juices from the contents
may stain or burn. These valuable juices can be collected and used as a liquid feed for your garden, however be sure to
dilute by at least 20 to 1.
Siting area is approximately 40” (102 cm) sq.
Filling Your Tumbler
When filling the tumbler ensure that you use only fresh materials. Partially rotted compost will not generate sufficient heat
to produce compost in 3 weeks. The tumbler can be filled to the top when using large quantities of fresh grass cutting (to
a maximum of 70% of the mix). Grass cuttings should be added as soon as cut and mixed with other organic kitchen and
garden waste (e.g. vegetable peelings). Do not use meat or cooked foods. You do not need to layer or add soil.
Good Composting
Good composting requires a mix of materials high in nitrogen and carbon. Grass cuttings and weeds are high in nitrogen
and potato and vegetable peelings are high in carbon. The better the mix the better the compost.
Fill to the top of the initial filling; add an organic activator (horse, chicken or rabbit manure can also be used); turn several
times and leave for 3 days to allow the temperature to rise. After the third day turn the Tumbler once every day. The Tumbler
can be added to at any time during the first 7 days. Then the contents should be left for the remaining period, turning once
a day, until the compost is ready. Empty the Tumbler and immediately start the process again.
While waiting for a compost batch to be produced, vegetable peelings and grass cuttings can be kept in an airtight bucket
or refuse sack and added to fresh grass cuttings when re-staring the compost cycle.
Using Your Compost
You will be producing your compost mainly from April to September which is when most plant growth occurs and therefore
when it is most needed. Tumbler compost is ideal for mulching or for digging-in. Generally speaking mulching will hold
moisture in hot weather, suppress weeds, protect plants from frost, and supply nutrients or organic matter to perennials
and permanent plants. Localized mulching is better than indiscriminately spreading the compost over the whole bed. The
worms will then do the digging for you.
Troubleshooting
Do not worry if at the first attempt your compost does not seem to heat up or it smells funny or looks waterlogged. Making
compost is a simple, natural process; with care you will soon be getting good, quick results.
1. TOO WET - Compost should only be damp - it should glisten. Adding sawdust or strips of newspaper will help dry out
the compost.
2. A POOR MIX - For the aerobic microbes to do their work quickly they need a mix of nitrogenous and carbon materials.
All organic materials contain both in varying concentration. In general, carbon is present in roots, brassica stalks, ferns,
straw an garden weeds; nitrogen is concentrated in the green and leaf parts of plants. Make sure you do not have too much
of any one material - a tumbler full of broccoli stalks will only produce a tumbler full of broccoli stalks!
3. KEEP IT SMALL - Remember small is best - it rots faster so chop up all your materials.
4. ODORS & FLIES - Odors may occur if you do not turn the tumbler frequently enough, if compost is left for too long or
if meat or cooked food has been added. Meat attracts flies, smells and disease.
RTS Companies Inc. | 1027 Industrial Place, P.O. Box 179, St. Clements, ON | 1-800-663-2803 | www.rtshomeaccents.com
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