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{{305inprogress|May 23, 2020}}
{{305inprogress|May 23, 2020}}
[[File:Compost area layout ccat compost 2020.jpg|thumb|upright=2|left|CCAT composting system design]]
==Abstract==
==Abstract==
<center>''A community sized composting system designed for The Community Center of Appropriate Technology (CCAT) at Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA. CCAT had a system in place that was not working for their desires, and wanted to upgrade to a system that was more efficient and user friendly. The designed was developed to be self-serving and easy to use, with minimal labor. We developed different ideas, while prototyping to see what CCAT preferred and disliked. We settled on a 3 barrel system with rotating lids to have multiple batches of compost at one time, to keep a continuous rotation. As well as, a separate system in place for green waste made from the infrastructure of the previous composting system already in place. This system is 2 piles with slower output, to require less labor and attention. We designed informative signs and pamphlets to pair with our system, for optimal understanding and education.''</center>


==Background==
==Background==
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</gallery>
</gallery>


==Problem Statement and Client Criteria==
==Problem Statement==
===Problem Statement===
The objective of this project is to update the current CCAT composting system. The current CCAT composting system is not user-friendly, rodent-resistant, or well-signed to guide composters through proper utilization. We plan to renovate the system so the community can add to and use the CCAT’s composting system with ease. Our hope is that after the renovations, using the system will be clearer and protected from rodents, leading to a more efficient and beneficial compost.
The objective of this project is to update the current CCAT composting system. The current CCAT composting system is not user-friendly, rodent-resistant, or well-signed to guide composters through proper utilization. We plan to renovate the system so the community can add to and use the CCAT’s composting system with ease. Our hope is that after the renovations, using the system will be clearer and protected from rodents, leading to a more efficient and beneficial compost.


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|-
|-
|}
|}


==Background Information and Research==
==Background Information and Research==
See the review of the available literature pertinent to the a specific project at [[CCAT compost system 2020/Literature review]].
See the review of the available literature pertinent to the a specific project at [[CCAT compost system 2020/Literature review]].
==Prototyping==
Most people liked the system and felt it was straight forward. Most of the proposed changes were in the look of the design, such as, the colors and shapes. We learned that people did not care for using red on the lids, recommended we change the colors to purple or brown. One person recommended we change the symbol use for the finished compost to a flower. We took this advice and changed the other symbols to go better with the flower as well. Some also thought adding about 8-10 words onto the lids would be beneficial as well. CCAT thought that not having words on the lids, would encourage people to look at the sign. There was also a recommendation of adding instructional pictures on the sign. We have since revised our design after receiving the feedback from the prototype.
<gallery caption="Lid Design Prototypes">
File:305 composting prototype1.jpg|Prototype of Rotating 3-lid Compost Design
File:305 composting prototype2.jpg|Prototype Sign
File:305 composting prototype3.jpg|Lid Design Prototype
</gallery>


==Construction==
==Construction==
Unfortunately the COVID-19 global pandemic kept us from constructing a functioning system for CCAT. We did, however, design what the system would look like if we were able to follow through with the project. These designs were made in the hopes of CCAT being able to replicate them.
<gallery caption="CCAT Final Design Templates>
File: barrel_design_ccat_compost_2020.jpg|Design for the barrels for the CCAT composting system
File: lid_design_ccat_compost_2020.jpg|3-lid design for CCAT composting system
File: compost_area_layout_ccat_compost_2020.jpg|Layout for the CCAT composting system
</gallery>


==Proposed Timeline==
===Proposed Timeline===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
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|-
|-
|}
|}
 
===Costs===
==Costs==
For CCAT's compost system upgrade we have a total budget allocation from CCAT of $350. We are hoping to keep total expenses within that overall budget and reuse any appropriate items from the current CCAT compost system to reduce costs and the carbon footprint of the new system.
For CCAT's compost system upgrade we have a total budget allocation from CCAT of $350. We are hoping to keep total expenses within that overall budget and reuse any appropriate items from the current CCAT compost system to reduce costs and the carbon footprint of the new system.


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! Quantity !! Material !! Source !! Cost ($) !! Total ($)
! Quantity !! Material !! Source !! Cost ($) !! Total ($)
|-
|-
| 3 || Barrels || Renner Petroleum
| 3 || Plastic Barrels || Donations
|align="right"| $10.00
|align="right"| $0
|align="right"| $30.00
|align="right"| $0
|-  
|-  
| 10 || Wood Pallets || Donations  
| 10 || Wood Pallets || Donations  
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|align="right"| $0
|align="right"| $0
|-
|-
| 150 ft^2 || Chicken Wire || Ace
| 3 || Vermin Mesh 24 in. W x 5 ft. || Ace Hardware
|align="right"| $10/10ft^2
|align="right"| $10.00
|align="right"| $150
|align="right"| $30
|-
|-
| 1 || Compost Crank || Online
| 1 || Compost Crank || Sun Frost
|align="right"| $55
|align="right"| $55
|align="right"| $55
|align="right"| $55
|-
|-
| 75 ft^2 || Insulation || Sun Frost
| 75 ft^2 || Insulation || Ace Hardware
|align="right"| $0.60/ ft^2
|align="right"| $0.60/ ft^2
|align="right"| $45
|align="right"| $45
|-class="sortbottom"
|-class="sortbottom"
|colspan="4" align="right" | '''Total Cost'''  
|colspan="4" align="right" | '''Total Cost'''  
|align="right"| '''$280'''  
|align="right"| '''$130'''  
|}
|}


==Satellite Projects==
==Operation==
The team made the following satellite projects to bolster the educational value during shelter in place orders of way back in 2020, remember those days...:
* [[Lorelei at home composting with kids]]
* [[Kelsey 3-lid 5-gallon bucket design]]
* [[Sara June 2 bay pallet system]]
 
==Construction==
Very complete description of how final project is made. This large section should have lots of pictures. Use the [[Help:Images#Galleries]] and probably [[Template:How_to]] (e.g. [[Barrel O' Fun Worm Bin Instructions]]).
 


=== Maintenance ===
===Maintenance===
Introduce this maintenance section.
We have developed instructions and a brief schedule one should follow if implementing the system.  


=== Schedule ===
===Schedule===  
This is when to maintain what.
<!-- Please keep the format the same as it populates the kiosk in CCAT. -->


;Daily
;Daily
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;Weekly
;Weekly
*Turn compost briefly using compost crank or shelve.
*Turn compost briefly using compost crank or shovel.
*Check on food donations and proper ratios. Add based on the flowchart diagnostic.  
*Check on food donations and proper ratios. Add based on the flowchart diagnostic.  
*Switch over lids as needed.
*Switch over lids as needed.
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=== Instructions ===
=== Instructions ===
This is how to maintain. The step by step how to template {{Tl|How to}} is most likely best for this part.  
This is a step by step guide on how to maintain and operate.  


{{How to
{{How to
  |title=How to Do Something
  |title=How to Use Rotating 3-lid Design
  |File:Bpack bike trailer - demo 1.jpg |Backpack frame bike trailer |1 |Do something.
  |File:Compost lid1.jpg|First Lid|1 |The first lid (Green Heart) is the accumulation of food scraps, as well as, adding carbon materials to maintain an aerobic (with oxygen) process and keep it from turning anaerobic (without oxygen). Once Bucket has been filled, leaving a few inches from the brim, it is ready for the yellow processing lid. (keeping in mind that as food scraps become compost they can shrink in volume up to 15 times smaller.)
|File:Aleiha dish.jpg |Aleiha's parabolic solar cooker |2 |Do something really complicated but made simple, etc.
|File:Compost lid2.jpg|Second Lid|2 |The second lid (Yellow Rotate Symbol) is for the batch of compost that is processing. This is the one you want to keep an eye on the most. This bin is for processing the scraps when you accumulated enough from the first. The scraps in this bin will require aerating (i.e. turning of the pile), and monitoring of temperature and carbon to nitrogen ratio. These are important for maintaining a healthy and quick compost. If the temperature and carbon-nitrogen ratio are good, the compost should not leech out much liquid, a handful of the material should feel like a wrung out sponge (moist but not releasing liquid). Once this lid has been placed on the bucket, it will remain until the composting food scraps and carbon materials have turned to finished compost. After this, the final purple flower lid can be placed on it for use in the garden.
|File:Compost lid3.jpg|Third Lid|3 |The third lid (Purple Flower) is where finished compost will be stored for easy access and availability.
}}
}}
===Educational Materials===
Here is the sign that will fill in the box at CCAT. It is located upon entering the compost area and is 35" by 35".
[[File:CCAT compost signage 2020 covid19.png|thumb|left|CCAT compost signage]]
'''Composting 101 Educational Pamphlet:'''
https://www.appropedia.org/images/6/66/Composting_101_Education_Pamphlet_for_CCAT.pdf


==Conclusion==
==Conclusion==
===Lessons learned===
We learned that there are a lot of variables to consider for the CCAT composting system. There have multiple previous iterations of a composting system at CCAT that have all ultimately been unsuccessful and so we were very motivated to create a final, long-term, viable composting system for CCAT. There are a lot of people who have access to the composting system at CCAT including volunteers, community members, and people dropping off their food scraps to be composted. These are additional factors that complicate the final compost system we deliver. We realized that clear signage and educational materials are needed to guide the many people working with the CCAT composting system.


===Testing results===
Describe the testing results.
===Discussion===
Discuss the testing results.
===Lessons learned===
Discuss lessons were learned during this project and what you would do different next time.
===Next steps===
===Next steps===
Discuss any next steps for the project as it goes on into the future.
As we go into the future, the next steps for our project are to construct and implement at The Community Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT). We also will continue our satellite projects to supplement the CCAT system for people to reference for at-home composting options.


=== Troubleshooting ===
=== Troubleshooting ===
If your compost system is having difficulties, check out this diagnostic to help get finished compost from your system:
If your compost system is having difficulties, check out this diagnostic to help get finished compost from your system:
[[File:Compost flowchat diagnostic(1).pdf|thumb|left|Graphic to help troubleshoot composting issues.]]
==Team==
Introduce team and semester in the following format:
*[[User:Sarajune|Sara June]]
*for each team member.


[[File:Compost flow chart sjk.jpg|left|Compost flow chart to help solve composting issues]]


For basic information on composting, click the following link:
For basic information on composting, click the following link:
*http://www.thegardenofoz.org/composting101.asp
*http://www.thegardenofoz.org/composting101.asp
==Satellite Projects==
The team made the following satellite projects to bolster the educational value during shelter in place orders of way back in 2020, remember those days...:
* [[Lorelei at home composting with kids]]
* [[Kelsey 3-lid 5-gallon bucket design]]
* [[Sara June 2 bay pallet system]]
* [[Hannah Stacked bin system]]
==Team==
*[[User:Lorelei|Lorelei]]
*[[User:Shiloki587|Kelsey]]
*[[User:Sarajune|Sara June]]
*[[User:Hcantrell|Hannah]]


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 20:55, 12 May 2020

Template:305inprogress

CCAT composting system design

Abstract

A community sized composting system designed for The Community Center of Appropriate Technology (CCAT) at Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA. CCAT had a system in place that was not working for their desires, and wanted to upgrade to a system that was more efficient and user friendly. The designed was developed to be self-serving and easy to use, with minimal labor. We developed different ideas, while prototyping to see what CCAT preferred and disliked. We settled on a 3 barrel system with rotating lids to have multiple batches of compost at one time, to keep a continuous rotation. As well as, a separate system in place for green waste made from the infrastructure of the previous composting system already in place. This system is 2 piles with slower output, to require less labor and attention. We designed informative signs and pamphlets to pair with our system, for optimal understanding and education.

Background

The Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT) was established at Humboldt State University (HSU) in Arcata, California, USA in 1978. Since then CCAT has evolved into a living laboratory of sustainability that incorporates appropriate technology as a core operating philosophy. CCAT recently added a composting system into their facility where students, campus dining facilities, and community members can bring their compostable food waste. CCAT currently takes in over 50 lbs of community food waste a week to be composted. However, the current composting system has some specific issues such as: 1) lack of clarity/instructions for users 2) inefficient three-phase system and 3) rodent intrusion. These three aspects will be the primary focuses for our upgrade. It is our team goal to create a well-signed point-positive and user-friendly composting system that can be effectively utilized by anyone with or without a CCAT employee’s assistance. This project is set to be completed by the end of spring semester 2020.

Problem Statement

The objective of this project is to update the current CCAT composting system. The current CCAT composting system is not user-friendly, rodent-resistant, or well-signed to guide composters through proper utilization. We plan to renovate the system so the community can add to and use the CCAT’s composting system with ease. Our hope is that after the renovations, using the system will be clearer and protected from rodents, leading to a more efficient and beneficial compost.

Client Criteria

Working on an existing compost project that needs to be upgraded it has naturally had many hands on it over time and will be utilized by many different people at CCAT, therefore we recognized the importance of listening to the desires of our client. In this case, CCAT has an extensive history with composting systems on their property and know in detail what has and hasn’t worked for their community. The history and evolution of the compost system is complex, and CCAT employees were helpful in the process of defining criteria. CCAT gave us recommendations as well as explained their reasoning for why each criterion matter and the weight they place on it. This final list is a blend of what CCAT had prepared and our criteria. Most of our criteria fit nicely with theirs.

Criteria Constraints Weight
(1-10)
Safety All those working on project and those who will engage with it will be safe
10
Functionality Minimizes the labor intensity of turning compost. The new system should simplify the composting process for both CCAT staff and HSU student body, be rat/rodent proof, and utilize space appropriately. CCAT would like a designated sorting area to streamline compost output and manage clutter.
10
Cost Staying under budget.
10
Aesthetics New compost system should blend well with the existing CCAT atmosphere, utilize the space designated appropriately, and have clear signage.
9
Longevity New compost system will be the final, long term solution for composting at CCAT. Materials and design will not require excessive maintenance
8

Background Information and Research

See the review of the available literature pertinent to the a specific project at CCAT compost system 2020/Literature review.

Prototyping

Most people liked the system and felt it was straight forward. Most of the proposed changes were in the look of the design, such as, the colors and shapes. We learned that people did not care for using red on the lids, recommended we change the colors to purple or brown. One person recommended we change the symbol use for the finished compost to a flower. We took this advice and changed the other symbols to go better with the flower as well. Some also thought adding about 8-10 words onto the lids would be beneficial as well. CCAT thought that not having words on the lids, would encourage people to look at the sign. There was also a recommendation of adding instructional pictures on the sign. We have since revised our design after receiving the feedback from the prototype.

Construction

Unfortunately the COVID-19 global pandemic kept us from constructing a functioning system for CCAT. We did, however, design what the system would look like if we were able to follow through with the project. These designs were made in the hopes of CCAT being able to replicate them.

Proposed Timeline

Dates Objective
3/2/2020 Tentative budget. Present alternative solutions to CCAT
3/9/2020 First project photos. Construct a prototype. Make materials list and begin formulating building plans.
3/23/2020 Begin construction process. Draft Appropedia page.
4/13/2020 Continue construction, keeping criteria in mind. Check-in with CCAT. Touch up anything needed.
4/27/2020 Final Appropedia Page and project write up. Construction completed
5/4/2020 Reflection and final Presentation.

Costs

For CCAT's compost system upgrade we have a total budget allocation from CCAT of $350. We are hoping to keep total expenses within that overall budget and reuse any appropriate items from the current CCAT compost system to reduce costs and the carbon footprint of the new system.

Quantity Material Source Cost ($) Total ($)
3 Plastic Barrels Donations $0 $0
10 Wood Pallets Donations $0 $0
3 Vermin Mesh 24 in. W x 5 ft. Ace Hardware $10.00 $30
1 Compost Crank Sun Frost $55 $55
75 ft^2 Insulation Ace Hardware $0.60/ ft^2 $45
Total Cost $130

Operation

Maintenance

We have developed instructions and a brief schedule one should follow if implementing the system.

Schedule

Daily
  • Adding proper N:C ratios of waste to the system.
Weekly
  • Turn compost briefly using compost crank or shovel.
  • Check on food donations and proper ratios. Add based on the flowchart diagnostic.
  • Switch over lids as needed.
Monthly
  • Prepare to harvest compost after decomposed. It will be much lighter in weight and airy and you should see little food scraps remaining.
  • Empty out and clean holes using water.
Yearly
  • Check on status of buckets. Replace any decomposing wood on overflow system. Patch any holes.

Instructions

This is a step by step guide on how to maintain and operate.

File:Compost lid1.jpg
How to Use Rotating 3-lid Design

Educational Materials

Here is the sign that will fill in the box at CCAT. It is located upon entering the compost area and is 35" by 35".

CCAT compost signage

Composting 101 Educational Pamphlet: https://www.appropedia.org/images/6/66/Composting_101_Education_Pamphlet_for_CCAT.pdf

Conclusion

Lessons learned

We learned that there are a lot of variables to consider for the CCAT composting system. There have multiple previous iterations of a composting system at CCAT that have all ultimately been unsuccessful and so we were very motivated to create a final, long-term, viable composting system for CCAT. There are a lot of people who have access to the composting system at CCAT including volunteers, community members, and people dropping off their food scraps to be composted. These are additional factors that complicate the final compost system we deliver. We realized that clear signage and educational materials are needed to guide the many people working with the CCAT composting system.

Next steps

As we go into the future, the next steps for our project are to construct and implement at The Community Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT). We also will continue our satellite projects to supplement the CCAT system for people to reference for at-home composting options.

Troubleshooting

If your compost system is having difficulties, check out this diagnostic to help get finished compost from your system:

Compost flow chart to help solve composting issues
Compost flow chart to help solve composting issues

For basic information on composting, click the following link:

Satellite Projects

The team made the following satellite projects to bolster the educational value during shelter in place orders of way back in 2020, remember those days...:

Team

References

Template:Reflist

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