Yishun Primary School distinguishes itself from its competitors by having an on-site food composter machine. Although being equipped to handle a mere 20kg of food waste — which dwarfs in comparison to its counterpart at Singapore Sports School that can handle 300kg — it has been operating since 2017, which is an amazing feat in itself. The vendor likened it to the lifespan of a Certificate of Entitlement for a car; that’s how reliable this machine has been chugging along.
The vendor also told me some other interesting trivia. We add sawdust and one teaspoon of microbes to facilitate the composting process. Since the food compost generated contains a high sodium content, it is advisable to mix it with soil in the ratio of 1:15 (food compost: soil) so that plants can absorb the nutrients beneficially.
Newer machines comprise more electronic than mechanical parts, it seems. Maybe I will need to procure a new model in two years’ time. Not sure if I am up to it since my mental headspace was on marking my sixth graders’ formal emails prior to meeting the vendor. I cannot context-switch so readily. But I guess that I will gradually grow into this role.
Fun fact:
Sawdust has a carbon to nitrogen ratio of about 400:1, the highest of any material.
It makes it perfect for eg. composting toilets, or any composting of high nitrogen to carbon ratio materials (like food waste) without foul odours.
Thanks for the knowledge drop!
I sent this fun fact to educate my fellow colleagues!
That's interesting. I've never seen food composting machines before, but the instructions of adding sawdust and microbes reminds me of a different type of composting machine-- composting toilets.
These toilets have a solid waste compartment where the user is expected to fill with sawdust (or coconut coir) and the mixture must be agitated after each use with the external hand crank. There's also a fan in there to cycle the air. Similar concept to food composting I suppose. I would love to learn more.
This is so interesting! Thanks for letting me know. I will be sure to fill you in when I learn more throughout my journey
Are you in charge of procuring these machines for your school? What are they used for educationally?
Oooh, you should do a post about Singapore's system for car ownership. I heard it's pretty complex and expensive.
Not yet! Because this is my first year in this elementary school. But I expect to procure the next gen machine for my school since the current one has been used for 9 years. Time to change!
Ah idea! I see if I can apply some economic principles to the mix. Yes that piece of paper itself is freaking expensive
This is legit! I would like to have a mechanical Rivan composter at my school and a worm bin.