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usually suitable. However, mixing and windrowing require more labor than other compost

operations [53].

7.3. Maturation, Storage and Processing

Anaerobic conditions may be caused by excess moisture or water accumulating at the bottom

of the pile. In mature compost, not enough heat is generated to evaporate moisture. Surface
runoff in the maturation area is drained by directing it away from the piles. The height of the

pile should be parallel to the base. The most effective way to prevent wet or anaerobic

conditions in a compost pile is to mix the pile and spread the compost on an open field. This
allows oxygen into the pile and aids in the aerobic decomposition or evaporation of anaerobic

compounds. After aeration for a day or two, the compost is piled again, the pile warms up again
and is composted in a short time. It takes a few days to a few weeks for the pH to return to its

normal level. The use and sale of compost is generally seasonal. Microbial activity remains at
a low level in finished compost that has been properly composted and matured. The height and

width of the pile is determined by the use of bucket loaders, conveyors or other equipment.

However, the height of storage piles should not exceed 3.6 m. As the size of the pile increases,
the risk of compost deterioration and spontaneous combustion increases. Piles with a height of

more than 2.4 m have low moisture, but due to poor drainage conditions, the bottom of the
storage piles becomes wet. It is usually safe to stack large storage piles into smaller piles for a

few weeks before using or selling. This allows natural aeration of the stored compost and
removal of any phytotoxic compounds present. If the produced compost is applied to a field,

maturation and/or storage piles are placed in a suitable part of the field. Poor drainage and steep

land slopes should be avoided to reduce anaerobic conditions, compost loss, and nutrient loss
from runoff [53].

7.4. Sifting

Sifting is done to separate substances of different sizes and/or shapes. By sifting;

➢ Most of the unwanted materials such as stones, metal, bottles and other garbage are
removed,

➢ Composted materials are separated from non-composted ones,
➢ Compost residues and completely uncomposted materials are separated and brought to

a quality suitable for sale or use,
➢ The bulking agent in the compost is recovered and reused.

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