The Enviro Grind Compost Process

Enviro Grind’s compost product range conforms to the highest standards in the industry and we take great pride in the Eco-friendly sustainable recycled horticultural products. The knowledge and experience gained over the past twenty years continues to facilitate further process development and product refinement.

 

A truly natural process

Composting is an entirely natural process. The earth’s natural composting process is responsible for the organic component contained in naturally occurring soils. At Enviro Grind we simply assist this process by providing the ideal environment for naturally occurring microorganisms to flourish. Like all natural occurring microorganisms the microbes at Enviro Grind produce compost water (H2o), Carbon dioxide (Co2) and heat during the composting process.

 

Feedstock and Recycling

One of the most significant aspects of producing a quality compost product is the Feed Stock. At Enviro Grind we contribute to a sustainable environment by recycling food waste from a variety of sources including commercial & household food waste and fish processing waste.

In addition to recycling food waste, garden and park waste is also recycled. This garden and park waste feed stock plays a significant role in producing the ideal input feed stock blend that is essential for top quality compost. It’s all about the perfect balance      

 

Blending and Balancing

Producing an ideal feed stock for the composting process is about understanding the fine art of blending and balancing all the feed stock components. Balancing the environment for optimum microorganisms activity is essential for producing a quality product.

 

In-Vessel Technology

At Enviro Grind we utilise the latest In-Vessel Technology to ensure we continually produce a top quality product. This In-Vessel Technology provides control of all the key components involved within the process including temperature, oxygen, moisture, pH, time and odour control.

 

Phase One Composting at Enviro Grind

Phase one of the composting process at Enviro Grind is all about keeping two different families of microbes in tiptop condition and ready to consume and recycle all the organic material known as Feed Stock. All the microorganisms involved in the compost process at Enviro Grind occur naturally in the environment and can be found in any domestic compost pile in gardens around the world.

The first family of microbes are described as Mesophylic. They get to work digesting all the organic waste while the compost temperature is relatively low (20°C – 40°C). These microbes thrive on tough woody stems and plant material. Phase one takes time, depending on the seasonal feed stock inputs such as garden grass cuttings or autumn leaves.

The second family of microbes are described as Thermophiles. Theses microbes also get to work during phase one as the temperature starts to rise (40°C - 75°C). This group of microbes are experts at consuming food waste that are high in nutrients. These nutrients are recycled back into the compost and are ready for plants to take up and thrive.

 

Phase two Composting at Enviro Grind

Phase two of the composting process also involves the Mesophylic and Thermophylic groups of microbes utilised in phase one of the compost process. However during this part of the process the skilled personnel at Enviro Grind closely monitor the moisture level and slowly reduce the moisture content as the microbe activity starts to naturally reduce as the feed stock is consumed. Microbe activity during phase two is a good indicator of process completion.

 

Screening

All the organic material that has completed phase two is screened or sieved to the ideal size for plants and seedlings to thrive. All the oversize material collected by the screening system is fed back to the start of the compost process where it begins the process again providing a continuous process loop.

 

Pasteurisation

The pasteurisation step in the process is continually monitored for temperature to ensure that all weed seed has been destroyed. Bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella which can be present in food waste are also destroyed in this part of the process. Every batch of compost produced at Enviro Grind is tested for E.coli and Salmonella at an independent testing lab where a certificate of analysis is issued on completion. Absolutely no compost is moved from the pasteurisation area until all testing is completed and all samples have passed.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine carry out regular site inspections and audit all process steps, records and sample analysis reports to ensure Enviro Grind is operating within National regulations and site specific licence conditions.

To date the Envirogrind compost production process has been proven to be robust as we have never failed an inspection or test.

 

Maturation Step

At Enviro Grind the quality of the end product compost is very important to us. The Maturation step in the compost production takes care and attention. During this process step the microbe activity slowly continues to decrease until the compost is mature. As the microbes used at Enviro Grind are naturally occurring in all soil they will still be present in your mature compost which is good news for you and your garden.