What's up
Your complete composting glossary: definitions, acronyms, techniques and common materials relating to composting household waste.
Tip: Use the search bar below to quickly find a specific term, or browse by category by clicking on the buttons.
📖 Basic definitions 20
Decomposed organic matter that can be used as a natural fertiliser to enrich the soil.
Residues of plant and animal matter, such as food scraps and garden waste, which can be composted.
The natural process of decomposing organic matter to produce compost.
A substance capable of breaking down naturally in the environment through the action of micro-organisms.
Dry materials rich in carbon, such as dead leaves, paper and branches, which bring balance to the composting process.
Nitrogen-rich materials such as fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds and grass cuttings.
A type of composting that requires oxygen to promote the decomposition of organic matter.
Decomposition without oxygen, often associated with unpleasant odours and slower decomposition.
Composting technique using worms to accelerate the decomposition of organic waste. Ideal for small spaces such as flats.
Product or substance added to compost to accelerate the decomposition of organic matter, often enriched with micro-organisms or enzymes.
Decomposed and stabilised organic matter resulting from composting, which enriches the soil with nutrients.
Small container used in kitchens to collect organic waste before transporting it to the composter.
Liquid that runs off a compost heap as it decomposes, containing nutrients but sometimes smelling bad.
Key proportion of carbon (brown matter) and nitrogen (green matter) elements to promote good composting. A good ratio is generally 30:1.
Alternating layers of brown and green materials in a composter to maintain a good balance and allow effective aeration.
Bacteria that are active at high temperatures, contributing to rapid decomposition in hot composting systems.
Product used to improve soil quality, such as compost or other organic matter.
The final stage in the composting process, when the compost is stabilised and ready for use in the garden.
Container or device used to store organic waste while it decomposes. Available in different sizes and models.
The act of filtering mature compost to separate large, undecomposed pieces from fine, usable particles.
🔤 Acronyms 11
Specific locations where residents can voluntarily deposit their recyclable or compostable waste.
Container for collecting household waste, including organic waste that can be composted.
Organic waste of food or plant origin that is biodegradable and can be composted.
Category of non-hazardous waste produced by businesses, some of which may be compostable.
Solid matter from waste, sometimes non-recyclable bio-waste, used as a source of energy.
A facility dedicated to the destruction of household waste, some of which can be composted before incineration.
Facility where waste is sorted, treated or processed, including for composting.
Waste treatment process combining mechanical sorting and biological treatment, often used to separate bio-waste for composting.
Industrial facilities, such as certain composting centres, which must meet strict environmental protection standards.
A place where certain types of waste that cannot be recycled or composted are landfilled. However, the aim is to divert organic waste from landfill through composting.
Food scraps, fruit and vegetable peelings, eggshells, coffee grounds and other organic waste generated during meal preparation and table cleaning. It is often compostable and can be reused to enrich the soil with nutrients.
♻️ Composting techniques 9
Simple technique where waste is piled up directly on the ground. Requires outdoor space.
Waste is placed in a bin or composter, allowing better control of decomposition.
Intensive method at high temperature (55-70°C), for rapid decomposition. Requires a large pile.
A slower method (6 to 24 months), where waste is added gradually and decomposes at room temperature.
Organic waste spread directly on the ground to enrich the surface soil.
Fermentative composting using anaerobic micro-organisms. The waste ferments in an airtight container.
Vertical silos are used to store organic matter and collect the compost at the bottom.
Practised in public areas or residences, allowing several households to deposit their bio-waste in shared composters.
Large-scale composting technique, in specific installations, to treat large quantities of organic waste.
🛠️ Materials and tools 11
Closed compost bin that can be turned by hand, allowing rapid and uniform mixing of organic matter.
Tool designed to stir and aerate compost, facilitating decomposition by increasing oxygenation.
Tool for monitoring the internal temperature of compost, essential for hot composting.
Tool used to manually turn the compost to improve aeration.
Accessory for sieving mature compost and separating decomposed particles from larger pieces.
Hermetically sealed container used in the Bokashi method for fermenting organic waste.
Machine used to shred branches and leaves before adding them to compost.
Net used to protect compost from pests while ensuring good aeration.
Small shovel used to transport mature compost and apply it to the soil.
Specific device for vermicomposting, consisting of several levels where the worms break down organic waste.
Bag made of compostable materials used to collect organic waste and add it directly to the compost.
