Biodigester Installation Manual

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Vermicomposting

by howstuffworks.com

Deep beneath the earth, they thrive -- pink, slimy and insatiably hungry. They're with us all the time, rooting through our gardens, digging through our lawns and consuming everything in their path. Aristotle called them the intestines of the ­world. The ancient Chinese called them angels of the soil. Angels or intestines, worms are a tiny but formidable force, eating their way through organic matter and leaving a trail of rich humus in their wake. Vermicomposting is the practice of using worms to turn your organic waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer.

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Grow Your Own Groceries

Not long ago humans fed themselves, provided for their own needs and were largely self sufficient. They knew how to feed themselves, how to take care of animals, what to plant and what to do when something went wrong. 

Visit http://growyourowngroceries.com/

Key Messages from the Cities and Biodiversity Outlook

by Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

São Paulo’s Green Belt Biosphere Reserve, established in 1994, helps counteract the urban heat island effect by reducing the ambient temperatures of adjacent areas by up to 10°C.

Key Messages

1. Urbanization is both a challenge and an opportunity to manage ecosystem services globally.
2. Rich biodiversity can exist in cities.
3. Biodiversity and ecosystem services are critical natural capital.
4. Maintaining functioning urban ecosystems can significantly enhance human health and well-being.
5. Urban ecosystem services and biodiversity can help contribute to climate-change mitigation and adaptation.
6. Increasing the biodiversity of urban food systems can enhance food and nutrition security.
7. Ecosystem services must be integrated in urban policy and planning.
8. Successful management of biodiversity and ecosystem services must be based on multi-scale, multi-sectoral, and multi-stakeholder involvement.
9. Cities offer unique opportunities for learning and education about a resilient and sustainable future.
10. Cities have a large potential to generate innovations and governance tools and therefore can—and must— take the lead in sustainable development.

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Eco-friendly Bricks

by UNDP & GEF

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility have recently introduced an energy efficient, smokeless brick-making technology to curb greenhouse gas emissions in Bangladesh, where the economy has been growing five to six percent annually for the past 15 years. Designed to replace the current, highly pollutant technology, the new technique named Hoffman Kiln was originally developed in Germany, modified in China and remodeled to adapt to the Bangladeshi needs, resulting in an even more energy efficient and cost-effective kiln.
With a construction industry that grows faster than its GDP, Bangladesh has no other option except making the brick making technology efficient and eco-friendly," said Khondker Rahman, who manages UNDP's Improving Kiln Efficiency in the Brick Making Industry project.

In the booming construction industry spurred by Bangladesh's rapid urbanization, the brick making industry remains largely unregulated and unmonitored. Every year 8.6 billion, bricks are produced here, and the demand is rising steadily at about 5.28 percent per year.

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Foodscaping

by Resilient Communities

Basically, foodscaping is landscaping with food.  Rather than plant flowers, trees, and shrubs that only look nice, we grow plants that look nice and provide us with a sustainable food source.

Not only does this provide us with food year after year, but we know exactly what we are eating.  On average, food travels 2,000 miles from farm to plate.  We can do better.   Foodscaping means our food only has to travel 200 feet from our garden and onto our plates.  Which would you prefer?

Many people think of food gardening as long, boring rows of plants.  This is how farming has been done for a long time.  Fortunately, we do not and should not follow this pattern for our own food.

Foodscaping allows a variety of edible species to live in relative harmony without the need for extensive human intervention.

Cost Differential

Does landscaping cost more than foodscaping?  Or is it the other way around?  Actually…it’s neither.  Both disciplines cost about the same.  The reason foodscaping is just now gaining popularity is because people were unaware of how “hands-off” a properly set up permaculture system can be.

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The Farmery: A Revolution at the Grocery Store

A Revolution at the Grocery Store 

by Resilient Communities

What is the Farmery?

We spend a lot of our time evaluating ways to make ourselves more self-sufficient.  In an ideal world, everyone would have acres of land where they could grow and experiment with various gardening techniques.  Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case.

Sure, there are vertical gardening methods that work well in urban areas.  Some urban cooperatives have also been successful on a moderate scale.  Either way, there are still some people that do not have the time or realize the importance of sustainable food production.

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Beneficial Indigenous Microorganisms (BIMs)

by A.S. Cajes

Compost Tea used by Malagos Garden Resort in Davao City

The use of beneficial indigenous microorganisms (BIMs) is a development in the use of effective microorganisms (EMs). BIMs, as the term implies, uses locally available organic materials to come up with a mother enzyme (no need to buy from manufacturers). Producing your own mother enzyme is cost-effective compared to buying one from the market.

The technology uses microorganisms such as phototrophic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, yeast and actinomycetes. These microorganisms are composed of microbial inoculants, which could create compost (rapid composting) in a matter of weeks rather than months.

Lacto Bacili is one of the beneficial microorganisms called pro-biotic. It helps in breaking down cellulose fibers. It converts organic materials into humus and fertilizer. It is popularly used in composting to eliminate foul odor due to anaerobic decomposition. This is possible because lactic acid bacteria thrive and feed on the ammonia released in the decomposition process. The lactic acid bacteria do the “cleansing”. They convert these wastes into unharmful ones using nature’s way of decomposition.

The procedure in producing lacto bacilli involves the following:

• Pour rice wash (solution generated when you wash the rice with water) on a container like plastic pot with lid. Allow air gap at least 50-75% of the container. The key here is the air space.
• Cover the container (not vacuum tight, allowing air still to move into the container) with lid loosely.
• Put the container in a quiet area with no direct sunlight.
• Allow the rice wash to ferment for at least 5-7 days. Lactic acid bacteria will gather in 5-7 days when temperature is 20-25 degrees Celsius. Rice bran will be separated and float in the liquid, like a thin film, smelling sour.
• Strain and simply get the liquid.
• Put this liquid in a bigger container and pour ten parts milk. The original liquid has been infected with different type of microbes including lacto bacilli.
• In order to get the pure lacto bacilli, saturation of milk will eliminate the other microorganisms and the pure lacto bacilli will be left. Skim or powdered milk, although fresh milk is best, may be used.
• In 5-7 days, carbohydrate, protein and fat will float leaving yellow liquid (serum), which contains the lactic acid bacteria. Dispose off the coagulated carbohydrate, protein and fat, add them to the compost pile or feed them to animals.
• The pure lactic acid bacteria serum can be stored in the refrigerator.
• Simply add equal amount of crude sugar (dilute with 1/3 water) or molasses. Do not use refined sugar as they are chemically bleached and may affect the lactic acid bacteria. The sugar or molasses will keep the lactic acid bacteria alive at room temperature. One to one ratio is suggested although sugar, regardless of quantity is meant simply, serving as food for the bacteria to keep them alive. Now, these lactic acid bacteria serum with sugar or molasses constitute the pure culture.
• To use, dilute this pure culture with 20 parts water. Make sure water is not chemically treated with, like chlorine, which can kill live microorganisms. This diluted form 1:20 ratio is the basic lactic acid bacteria concoction.
• Two to four tablespoons added to water of one gallon can be used as basic spray and can be added to water and feeds of animals. Lactic acid bacteria serum can be applied to plant leaves to fortify phyllosphere microbes, to soil and compost.

Keep in mind that there are other procedures in producing BIMs. Each procedure depends on the materials to be used. 

BIMs can be used to rapidly compost organic materials, including rice straw. Spraying diluted solution of lactic acid bacteria serum to the plant and soil also helps plant growth and makes them healthier. As it is applied to the soil or the leaves, these beneficial bacteria aid in the decomposition process, thus allowing more food to be available and assimilated by the plant.

Lactic acid bacteria are also known to produce enzymes and natural antibiotics aiding effective digestion. They have antibacterial properties, including control of salmonella and e. coli. To farmers, what are observed are the general health of the plants and animals, better nutrient assimilation, feed conversion and certain toxins elimination.

In addition, EM has the potential to increase rice yield by ten percent. It is also capable of reducing the emission of methane up to 54 percent in flooded rice fields when applied with organic amendments, such as green manure. Other studies show that the use of EM can lead to “low production of greenhouse gases” like methane and carbon dioxide.[1]

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[1] Higa, Teruo and Parr James F., Beneficial and Effective Microorganisms for a Sustainable Agriculture and Environment. International Nature Farming Research Center: Atami Japan, 1994, p. 11

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater collection pond at Living School of the Sea

by A.S. Cajes

Rainwater harvesting is an old technology. It is a product of the wisdom of the ages. 

We harvest rainwater by collecting and depositing it. The objective is to make water available for domestic and other uses, such as for drinking, bathing, washing, gardening and farming.

The rainwater collection pond at the Living School of the Sea in Bantayan Island started as a means to minimize flooding in the school-resort. Atty. Tony Oposa Jr., the owner, later on realized that the collection pond could help recharge the aquifer, which is the source of an important and valuable resource: water for drinking.

Rainwater collection pond at TUWA

At TUWA the Laughing Fish, an ecovillage located in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija, the rainwater collection pond has various benefits. It gives recreational value by serving as a Kayaking Lagoon and as swimming pool. It minimizes flooding in the area and helps in recharging the aquifer. It also serves as a fishpond, thereby providing an added economic benefit to the owners. 

Water impoundments can be initiated as a community project by households. To keep the water clean, properly managed water hyacinth can be introduced. To control the population of mosquitoes, the pond can be stocked with goldfish, koi or mosquito fish. Additional tips are available at http://www.mosquitoes.org.

Sanitation and Related Topics

100 issues of the WASHplus Weekly – March 2011 to May 4, 2013

Below are links to the past 100 issues of the WASHplus Weekly on various sanitation and other topics. We welcome suggestions on how to make the Weekly more useful.

2013

May 4: Water & Food Security

Apr 26: Focus on Cookstoves & the Environment

Apr 19: Focus on Handwashing

Apr 12: Focus on Financing WASH Services

Apr 5:  Focus on Urban Sanitation

Mar 29: Focus on Household Air Pollution

Mar 21: Focus on World Water Day 2013

Mar 15: Focus on WASH Sustainability

Mar 8: Focus on Gender Issues

Feb 22: Focus on Sanitation Marketing

Feb 15: Focus on Household Water Treatment & Safe Storage

Feb 8: Focus on Neglected Tropical Diseases

Feb 1: Focus on Cookstove Stacking

Jan 25: Focus on WASH & Maternal Health

Jan 18: Focus on Post-2015 MDG Goals

Jan 11: Focus on WASH and Environmental Conservation

2012

Dec 21: Focus on HAP & the Global Burden of Disease

Dec 14: Focus on Community-Led Total Sanitation

Dec 7: Focus on Water Kiosks

Nov 30: Focus on Fecal Sludge Management

Nov 16: Focus on World Toilet Day 2012

Nov 9: Focus on World Pneumonia Day 2012

Nov 2: Focus on Water Conflicts

Oct 26: Focus on Climate Change

Oct 19: Focus on Waste Pickers

Oct 12: Focus on Global Handwashing Day 2012

Oct 5: Focus on Water Technologies

Sept 28: Focus on WASH & Household Energy Entrepreneurs

Sept 14: Focus on Household Water Treatment & Safe Storage

Sept 7: Focus on WASH & Child Survival

Aug 31: Focus on Biogas for Cookstoves

Aug 24: Focus on Multiple-Use Water Services

Aug 17: Focus on WASH & Food Security

Aug 10: Focus on Cholera Prevention & Control

Aug 3: Focus on Menstrual Hygiene Management

July 27: Focus on Marketing Cookstoves

July 20: Focus on HIV/AIDS & WASH

July 13: Focus on Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections

July 6: Focus on Community-Led Total Sanitation

June 29: Focus on WASH in Emergencies

June 8: Focus Public-Private Partnerships

June 1: Focus on WASH-related Diseases

May 25: Focus on WASH & Indoor Air Pollution

May 18: Focus on Water Security

May 11: Focus on Sludge Management

May 4: Focus on Self-Supply

Apr 27: Focus on Cookstove Adoption

Apr 20: Focus on Small-Scale WASH Service Providers

Apr 13: Focus on Hygiene Behavior

Apr 6: Focus on the Informal Sector & Solid Waste Management

Mar 30: Focus on Nanotechnology

Mar 23: Focus on Urban Health

Mar 8: Focus on Gender Issues in WASH and IAP

Mar 2: Focus on Multiple-Use Water Services

Feb 24: Adoption of WASH & IAP Interventions

Feb 17: Focus on Ecological Sanitation

Feb 10: Focus on Neglected Tropical Diseases

Feb 3: Focus on Household Water Treatment & Safe Storage

Jan 27: Focus on Health Impacts of WASH & IAP Interventions

Jan 20: Focus on Community-Led Total Sanitation

Jan 6: Focus on WASH & IAP Technologies

2011

Dec 16: Focus on Financing WASH & IAP Interventions

Dec 9: Focus Water Safety Plans

Dec 2: Focus on Rainwater Harvesting

Nov 18: Focus on World Toilet Day

Nov 11: Focus on Pneumonia Prevention

Nov 4: Focus on Water Point Mapping

Oct 28: Focus on Menstrual Hygiene Management

Oct 21: Focus on Carrying Water

Oct 14: Focus on Climate Change

Oct 7: Focus on Handwashing

Sep 30: Focus on Humanitarian Assistance

Sep 23: Focus on Sanitation Marketing

Sep 9: Focus on Reuse in Sanitation

Sep 2: Focus on WASH for the Disabled

Aug 19: Focus on Sludge Management

Aug 12: Focus on Cholera Prevention & Control

Aug 5: Focus on Indoor Air Quality

July 29: Focus on Prevention of Diarrhea

July 22: Focus on Drinking Water Quality

July 15: Focus on HIV/AIDS & WASH

July 8: Focus on Marketing Approaches

July 1: Focus on Household Water Treatment & Safe Storage

June 24: Focus on Hygiene Behavior

June 17: Focus on Mobile Technologies

June 10: Focus on Monitoring & Evaluation

June 3: Focus on Health Impacts

May 27: Focus on Financing

May 20: Focus on WASH & Urban Issues

May 13: Focus on Community-Led Total Sanitation

May 6: Focus on Gender & WASH

Apr 29: Focus on WASH & IAQ in Schools

Apr 22: Focus on WASH & IAP Integration

Apr 15: Focus on Household Water Treatment & Safe Storage

Apr 8: Focus on Handwashing

Apr 1: Focus on Sanitation

Mar 1: WASHplus Updates

Briquettes from Waste Paper

by A.S. Cajes

The production of briquettes from waste paper is a simple undertaking. It requires a simple technology. It does not require high investment. All one needs are a good supply of waste paper, a simple molder that can be fabricated locally and available time to soak the paper on water, shred the soaked paper, operate the molder and dry the final product. The heating value the paper briquette is more or less similar to charcoal. 

Briquette is defined as a block of compressed flammable matter used for fuel and kindling. It is a substitute to coal and charcoal. 

Further readings

DENR-EMB

mixph.com

DENR-ERDB 

Ecovillage Approach to Climate Change Adaptation

by John Vermeulen & Penelope Reyes
Tuwa The Laughing Fish
Cabiao, Nueva Ecija, Philippines  


“Climate change adaptation is a lifestyle choice. We reconnect and listen to nature to allow the flourishing of graceful simplicity, self-sufficiency, and ecological soundness in a low-carbon setting. Living together meaningfully and sustainably amidst a rapidly changing environment underpins community resilience. Indeed, ‘small is beautiful’, thus, we see Ecovillages & Transition Initiatives successfully carrying-on into the indefinite future.”

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Assisted Natural Regeneration

Native and mahogany trees in a hill in Bohol. Foto by Ernesto Maghinay

by A.S. Cajes 

In 1992, we started removing the Imperata or cogon grass that grew at the side of the hill where our house is located. We did this for safety reasons. We feared that fire would engulf the dry cogon grass, especially during dry season. This would put our family in danger because our house is located at the lower portion of the hillside.

In 2012, our hill side is now covered with trees – mostly mahogany and native trees like Molave or tugas. By removing the cogon grass, we hastened the natural successional processes. 

According to the Food and Agriculture Office (FAO), assisted natural regeneration (ANR) “is a method for enhancing the establishment of secondary forest from degraded grassland and shrub vegetation by protecting and nurturing the mother trees and their wildlings inherently present in the area”. ANR:

• Is a cost efficient way of regenerating forest.
• Provides potential livelihood opportunities for communities.
• Contributes to strengthening biodiversity,
• Provides hunting areas.
• Increases carbon sequestration and carbon sinks which contribute to climate change mitigation.

Reading: Advancing Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) in Asia and the Pacific

http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/AD466E/ad466e00.htm#Contents