Browse our full library of in-depth resources and publications

How Do I Compost: A Guide for Community Composting

This guide is intended for communities, groups, or small-scale fruit and vegetable growers in the Pacific who seek to compost small quantities of organic materials (approximately 1-2 wheelbarrows per week) in a shared small-scale composting facility using simple tools and volunteer labour.

Standard Operating Procedure – Bay Composting Organics Processing Facility

This SOP guides the effective composting process, providing supervisors and staff the background and guidance on activities to operate and run a compost facility safely, effectively, and efficiently in the region.

Countries are encouraged to utilise this framework to effectively enhance the operations of their compost facilities.

Decision Support Tool- Choosing Organics Solution

Use this Decision Support Tool as a starting point to understand what type and size of organics management processing may be appropriate for your context.

To use this tool effectively, you will need to gather the following information:

Weight of organic material to be processed
Estimation of "Carbon" v "Nitrogen" ratio of the organic materials to be processed
Main source of Nitrogen material
Budget available for establishing facilities and equipment
Budget is available for ongoing operations (excluding labour)
Labour (staff and volunteers) availability
Level training of staff or volunteers
Level of workshop support for equipment maintenance and servicing
Understanding of sensitivity of surrounding area

The Decision Support Tool provides guidance for obtaining the answers to these questions.

Once you have answered the nine questions, click on the RESULTS tab to identify the possible Organics Management Solutions for your context. Visit the PacWaste Plus Organics Resources page to review your possible organics management solution (or solutions) and further consider its suitability for your context.

If you have very specific constraints for your site, for example, a very small land area available or very constrained budget, this tool may not provide an appropriate solution. Please reach out to the PacWaste Plus team to discuss your needs.

Animal Feed Factsheet 1

This factsheet is for decision-makers and private sector entrepreneurs considering the management of organics through the establishment of an animal feed system and provides information on recommended conditions, design features, equipment, and an overview of typical operations. This publication enables an informed decision on whether this solution is appropriate.

Mulch and Woodchip Factsheet 2

This factsheet is for decision-makers and private sector entrepreneurs considering the management of organics through the production of mulch or woodchips and provides information on recommended conditions, design features, equipment, and an overview of typical operations. This information is provided to enable an informed decision on whether this solution is appropriate.

Small Scale Composting Factsheet 3

This factsheet is intended for households, communities, or small-scale fruit and vegetable growers in the Pacific who seek to compost small quantities of organic materials (less than 100 kg or 2 wheelbarrows per week) in their own backyard, at a school, or in a shared community decentralised small-scale composting facility using simple tools and volunteer manual labour. This publication provides information on recommended conditions, design features, equipment, and an overview of typical operations to enable an informed decision on whether this solution is appropriate.

Small Scale Anaerobic Digestion Factsheet 4

This factsheet is for households, communities, or small businesses considering the management of organics through the establishment of a small-scale anaerobic digestion system. This publication provides information on recommended conditions, design features, equipment, and an overview of typical operations. This information is provided to enable an informed decision on whether this solution is appropriate.

Centralised Anerobic Digestion Dry Factsheet 5

This factsheet is for decision-makers and entrepreneurs considering the management of organics through the establishment of a large-scale anaerobic digestion system and provides information on recommended conditions, design features, equipment, and an overview of typical operations. This publication provides information to enable an informed decision on whether this solution is appropriate.

Bay Composting Factsheet 6

This factsheet is intended for decision-makers and entrepreneurs in the Pacific who seek to process approximately 1 tonne or 20 wheelbarrows/day of organic material (a common quantity in the Pacific) at commercial, municipal, or on-farm facilities. This publication is for considering the management of organics through the establishment of a bay composting facility and provides information on recommended conditions, design features, equipment, and an overview of typical operations.

Windrow Composting Factsheet 7

This factsheet is intended for decision-makers and entrepreneurs in the Pacific who seek to process approximately 1 tonne or 20 wheelbarrows/day of organic material (a common quantity in the Pacific) at commercial, municipal, or on-farm facilities. This publication is for considering the management of organics through the establishment of a windrow composting facility and provides information on recommended conditions, design features, equipment, and an overview of typical operations. The information provided is to enable an informed decision on whether this solution is appropriate.

Aerated Static Pile Composting Factsheet 8

This factsheet is intended for decision-makers and entrepreneurs in the Pacific who seek to process approximately 1 tonne or 20 wheelbarrows/day of organic material (a common quantity in the Pacific) at commercial, municipal, or on-farm facilities. This publication provides information on recommended conditions, design features, equipment, and an overview of typical operations to enable an informed decision on whether this solution is appropriate. To progress with this option or to understand further, please see the accompanying Aerated Static Pile Composting Framework Operations Plan and Design Drawings.