WASTE MADE INTO FERTILISER

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 14571, 15 January 1948, Page 5

WASTE MADE INTO FERTILISER

SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENTS AT DANNEVIRKE

VALUABLE ORGANIC MATTER

A scheme for converting all types of organic waste into efficient and valuable fertiliser is proceeding favourably at Dannevirke under the direction of the Borough Council's engineer, Mr H. A. Truman. Although the present large-scale operations, which were commenced in October, 1946, are still in the experimental stage, it is already apparent, observers state, that the scheme has definite economic possibilities. It affords a most satisfactory and hygienic means for the disposal of unpleasant and refractory waste and it produces a valuable organic manure which is readily saleable. Outlining the methods used, Mr Truman explained that all forms of organic matter were collected for use by-products from abattoirs, sßsh waste, household garbage and even dead animals.

Piled in pits, the waste was covered with light layers of carbonate of lime, sawdust, sewage sludge in liquid form, and soil. It was then left to deteriorate.

Finally, after being turned two or three times, the compost became a coarse dust which had a high commercial value as fertiliser.

Mr Truman is emphatic that, in spite of the constituents, the compost heaps possess no objectionable smells, nor do they attract flies. The scheme is attracting wide interest from agriculturists, engineers and health inspectors and, because of its eventful provision of fertiliser, can be regarded-as a contribution to the Aid for Britain Campaign.