TLE 4: INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES

BTVTED TE – 302

12th WEEK

BASIC STOCKS CONTROL PROCEDURES

Objectives

• Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the concept of Basic Stock control procedures.

• Demonstrate knowledge on storing plant debris and waste material produced during nursery
activities according to OHS procedures.
• Demonstrate competencies in preparing plant debris and following the process of handling
waste materials in appropriate and safe manner
• Demonstrate familiarity on maintaining a clean and safe work site while completing nursery
activities following routine maintenance procedure
• Demonstrate appreciation on the skills of storing and stockpile.

A. Recycling/composting practices and procedures

B. Proper stockpiling of surplus materials
C. Storage practices and principles for materials
D. Waste materials management
E. Routine maintenance of workplace

Recycling/composting practices and procedures

Recycling food and other organic waste into compost provides a range of environmental benefits,
including improving soil health, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, recycling nutrients, and
mitigating the impact of droughts.

What Is Composting?
Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter, such as leaves and food scraps, into a
valuable fertilizer that can enrich soil and plants. Anything that grows decomposes eventually;
composting simply speeds up the process by providing an ideal environment for bacteria, fungi, and
other decomposing organisms (such as worms, sowbugs, and nematodes) to do their work. The
resulting decomposed matter, which often ends up looking like fertile garden soil, is called compost.
Fondly referred to by farmers as “black gold,” compost is rich in nutrients and can be used for
gardening, horticulture, and agriculture.

Organic discards can be processed in industrial-scale composting facilities, in smaller-scale

community composting systems, and in anaerobic digesters, among other options. This guide focuses
primarily on home composting, which is a great way to keep your organic discards out of the waste
stream and produce a valuable soil amendment for your own use.
Types of Home Composting
Composting can be done both indoors and outdoors and can be as complicated or as simple as you
would like. The best way for you to compost at home depends on several factors:

-Where you live/availability of space

-How much organic waste you produce
-What kind of organic waste you produce (kitchen and/or yard waste)
-Amount of time you can spend on the composting process

There are two main types of backyard composting:

cold (also known as passive composting) and hot (also called active composting). Cold composting
breaks down organic matter slowly, but it also takes the least amount of effort and maintenance.
Anything organic decomposes eventually; cold composting is just letting Mother Nature do her job
with minimal intervention on your part. You do not need to worry about the ratio of compost
ingredients, aerate regularly, or monitor moisture levels. Cold composting is the best process if you
have little organic waste to compost and not much time to tend to the process, and if you are not in a
hurry for finished compost. However, depending on what kind of cold method you use, it can take one
to two years before you get usable compost. Additionally, a cold composting process will most likely
not reach a high enough temperature during decomposition to kill off pathogens, so depending on what
you’ve put in the pile, there may be some lingering harmful pathogenic bacteria, fungi, protozoa,
worms, and other parasites as well as weed seeds in your finished product. A cold composting process
is primarily anaerobic, meaning that your discards are broken down by microorganisms that thrive in
an oxygen-deprived environment. In addition to being slower to break down, cold piles may be
smellier or wetter than hot piles.

Hot composting is a faster, but more managed, compost process. This method requires attention to
keep carbon and nitrogen in the optimum ratio to decompose organic waste. It also requires the right
balance of air and water to attract the organisms that thrive in an oxygen-rich environment. Under
ideal conditions, you could have the final compost product in four weeks to 12 months. If managed
correctly, the high temperature of the pile will destroy most weeds, plant diseases, pesticides, and
herbicides, plus any bug larvae or eggs.

How to Compost
Compost Ingredients
Organisms that decompose organic waste need four key elements to thrive: nitrogen, carbon, air, and
water. Since all compostable materials contain carbon, with varying amounts of nitrogen, composting
successfully is just a matter of using the right combination of materials to achieve the best ratio of
carbon to nitrogen and maintaining the right amounts of air and water to yield the best results. The
ideal carbon-to-nitrogen ratio for a compost pile is 25 to 30 parts carbon for every 1 part nitrogen. If
your pile has too much carbon-rich material, it will be drier and take longer to break down. Too much
nitrogen-rich material can end up creating a slimy, wet, and smelly compost pile. Fortunately, these
problems are easily remedied by adding carbon-rich or nitrogen-rich material as needed.

“Greens” for Nitrogen

Nitrogen is one of the basic building blocks of life, and it is an essential element for growth and
reproduction in both plants and animals. A higher nitrogen-to-carbon ratio is most commonly found in
fresh organic material (often referred to as greens). Having plenty of greens in your compost pile
makes sure the decomposers can grow and reproduce quickly. Some household greens you can add to
your home compost pile are fresh grass clippings, food scraps, and coffee grounds.

“Browns” for Carbon

Another essential compound for all life forms is carbon, higher proportions of which can be found in
brown plant material. Carbon acts as a food source for decomposers, helping to keep them alive while
they break down waste. Typical browns you can add to a compost pile include dead leaves, branches,
twigs, and paper.

To achieve the best carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in your home compost, a rule of thumb is to put in two to
four parts brown materials for every one part green materials.

Oxygen and Water

Finally, like any other living organism, decomposers need oxygen and water to survive. To ensure a
faster home composting process, you will need to make sure your compost system has the right
amount of air and water. As mentioned above, if you are not in a rush for finished compost, you do not
have to maintain your waste; the decomposition will still take place, just at a much slower pace.
Optimal air flow can be achieved by layering materials, making sure your materials are in small pieces
(ideally no thicker than a finger), and turning piles regularly (or adding another type of aeration
system). As for water, the ideally moist household compost pile will be about as wet as a wrung-out
sponge. If you are including food waste in your pile, it’s likely it will be wet enough, but if not, just
add water.

Temperature
Hot composting is achieved when the balance of greens, browns, air, and water creates ideal
conditions for aerobic organisms to thrive. The optimal peak temperature for aerobic composting is
130 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which occurs when aerobic macro- and microorganisms are breaking
down waste and reproducing at a fast rate. This high temperature also kills any lingering bacteria or
weed seeds.

Consistent Aeration
Aeration encourages an aerobic environment, which helps to speed up the composting process and
reduce odors. It is recommended you turn your pile (or rotate your tumbler) around once a week
during summer and at minimum once every three to four weeks during winter. You can also add
piping or large sticks to help increase natural airflow.

Maintaining Moisture
Moisture is essential for composting—your pile should always feel like a wrung-out sponge. Too dry a
pile may cause the composting process to slow down. Too wet a pile may create an anaerobic
environment, which can cause bad odors and also slow down decomposition. Water your pile (or add
more wet materials) if it becomes too dry, and add carbon-heavy browns if it becomes too wet.

Size
A 3-foot cube is the ideal size for a compost bin or pile. You need a large volume of waste to be able
to produce a high enough temperature for aerobic organisms to thrive. However, piles larger than 5
cubic feet are not likely to allow enough air to reach the decomposers at the center; they may also be
harder to turn. Chop up larger pieces of food or yard scraps before adding to your bin or pile. The
smaller the pieces, the quicker the decomposition process will be. A good rule is not to include
anything thicker than a finger.

Location
The ideal compost location is a dry and shady spot. If you live in a rainy climate, avoid placing your
pile or bin under eaves or places with poor drainage, or else the compost may get too soggy. If you
live in a sunny environment, find a shady spot so it doesn’t dry up too quickly and you don’t have to
keep adding water.

To start your pile, add alternating thin layers of greens and browns, ending with a layer of browns.
(You can keep adding materials over time until you reach the optimal height of 3 feet.) Wet the
compost pile if needed as you layer. Then leave the pile alone for four days to allow initial
decomposition to begin, after which you can regularly aerate your pile or bin by turning with a
pitchfork or garden fork and regularly monitor the moisture level.

Compost Bin
Using a bin is the simplest and cheapest method for small-scale, at-home composting.

Closed Bin
A closed compost bin is an enclosed structure that keeps your composting materials together and helps
to retain heat and moisture. Typically, closed bins have an open bottom and you place the bin directly
on a patch of soil. The open bottom allows the nutrients in the developing compost to travel directly
into the soil. You can either buy a compost bin or build one yourself, making sure to include a
removable top so you can add more compostable materials as you accumulate them. Depending on the
material you build your bin out of, you may have to drill or punch holes along the sides to allow
airflow (or turn it manually for a hotter process). You should ensure that any holes or openings in the
bin are small enough to prevent entry by rodents or any other animals of concern. You can build your
bin to fit the amount of organics you expect to produce over time—size can range from 3 by 3 by 3
feet to a larger, three-bin system

You may already have some materials around the house to use for a DIY bin. Possibilities include:

Wine crates
Plastic storage bins
Old wooden dresser drawers
Garbage can
Wire mesh
Wood pallets
Open Bin
Open-topped bins (or open compost systems) typically require less maintenance and are better suited
to composting yard waste (food waste may attract animals, and open bins are not animal proof). An
open bin can be as simple as a loop of chicken wire that allows you to dump materials in. You can
even just pile materials on the ground without an enclosure. With an open bin, you have easier access
to the composting material. The primary disadvantage is that materials are loosely confined and may
be easily accessed by animals or insects, or they may spill out over the boundaries of the bin or pile.

Open bins can be purchased, or you can make one yourself by driving metal stakes or wooden posts
into the soil, ideally in a 3-by-3-foot square, and then wrapping the posts with wire mesh fencing. If
you have the materials handy, you can also make an open bin from wooden pallets. You can use this
method for either hot or cold composting, depending how much you’d like to monitor the balance of
materials, turn the pile for aeration, and ensure the right moisture level.
Tumbler Bin
A tumbler is a sealed container that is mounted on an axle or base and can be rotated with a handle. By
turning the container, you are aerating and mixing the waste inside, which will help foster aerobic
conditions to break down the materials and speed up the composting process. A sealed drum tumbler
retains moisture and heat (note that you may need to monitor moisture more carefully to ensure it
doesn’t get too wet). An aerated tumbler with built-in air vents, on the other hand, speeds up the
composting process. With ideal conditions, tumblers can convert waste to finished compost in as little
as three weeks, though a month or two is much more common. Compost tumblers can be purchased
online or in most gardening stores.

Proper stockpiling of surplus materials

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Loss of material through incorrect storage of stockpiles and building materials (such as sand,
gravel, mulch, soil, etc.) can be a major source of pollution to our waterways and can cause costly
losses to the builder.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE
It is the responsibility of the developer/builder to ensure that appropriate material stockpile and
waste management systems are in place.

How do you manage stockpile?

Managing stockpiles: guidance sheet

Limit stockpile heights based on their stability, manageability, dust and amenity impacts. erosion
during high rainfall events. Keep stockpiles for shortest time possible. Minimize the time the
stockpile will be inactive.

MANAGEMENT OF STOCKPILES
Appropriate location and protection of stockpiles will assist in reducing damage to the building
block.
When ordering materials, give clear instructions on where you want them placed on your
building block.
Clearly mark your stockpile area. This will assist with the management of the site.
To prevent the potential loss of materials, plan to limit the amount of material onsite if
possible.
Ensure all workers (including subcontractors, delivery drivers, etc) are aware of their
responsibilities to minimise pollution.
To protect stockpiles and building materials from entering the stormwater system:
Place them near the stabilised access point.
Store them behind sediment fences. On sloped surfaces, place a sediment fence on the low side
of the stockpile
Protect them from costly losses by covering where necessary.
 Locate them away from high water flow areas (e.g. drainage channels, kerb inlet pits, paved
areas and driveways).
Keep stockpile height below 2m.
Apply a stabilising agent to the surface.

WASTE DISPOSAL
Install onsite waste collection.
Material must be stored in such a way that it does not, or is not likely to, escape.
Locking the bin will assist in preventing illegal use.
Arrange regular and timely clearance of bins to avoid overfilling.
Where possible, collect materials for recycling and/or keep different materials in separate bins.

PERIMETER FENCE
Materials may be accidentally dropped and not put in the bin. A perimeter fence will help to keep this
material from being carried off site by wind or water.
A perimeter fence can also prevent unauthorised persons gaining access to a site.

MAINTENANCE OF STOCKPILES AND WASTE

Ensure controls are checked daily and any repairs undertaken immediately.
A good maintenance program should include ongoing modification throughout the construction
process.
Ensure controls are put back in place if they are moved for any reason.
It is important that controls are in place at the end of the day or before it rains.

Storage practices and principles for materials

Proper storage of materials

Store materials and supplies in an organized manner to ensure easy access for retrieval and
transportation. Place heavier loads on lower or middle shelves. Store long, tall or top-heavy items on
their side or secure them to prevent tipover.

The main objective of material storage is to ensure you never run out of material in the right form,
preferred quantities, and best quality. The storage area should not be a health hazard for your workers.
Factors to consider when storing materials will include accessibility when reaching the materials.

THE TEN PRINCIPLES OF MATERIAL HANDLING

The handling of materials is essential in the industry, since it is essential to optimize processes, reduce
costs and reduce risk. We present the 10 basic principles of material handling to reduce costs and
increase the productivity of the industrial plant developed by Material Handling Institute:

PLANNING PRINCIPLE
Be clear objectives objectives and functional specifications of the proposed methods.

STANDARDIZATION PRINCIPLE.
Equipment, controls and software must be standardized within the limits that achieve global
performance objectives without sacrificing flexibility, modularity and production.

WORK PRINCIPLE.
Material handling work should be minimized without sacrificing productivity or the required level of
operation.

ERGONOMIC PRINCIPLE.
Human capabilities and limitations must be recognized to ensure safe and effective operations.

UNIT LOAD PRINCIPLE.

The unit loads must be of the appropriate size and be configured according to which they achieve a
material flow and the inventory objectives at each stage of the supply chain.

SPACE UTILIZATION PRINCIPLE.

Effective and efficient use of available space must be made.

SYSTEM PRINCIPLE.
Material movement and storage activities must be fully integrated to form an operating system that
encompasses reception, inspection, storage, production, assembly, packaging, unification, order
selection, shipping, transportation, and claims handling.

AUTOMATION PRINCIPLE.
Material handling operations should be automated where possible in order to improve operational
efficiency, increase responses, improve consistency and predictability, and lower operating costs.
If we pay attention to how the industry has changed in the last 20 years, the number of people involved
in each of the stages of the process is less and less with new technologies, if it is automated, it gains in
reliability, efficiency, safety, time, standardization and transportation, since there is better
coordination.
Currently, among the main technologies and solutions that are being used to improve the end of line
process, stand out robotized arms systems, automatic palletizing, AGV’s among others.

ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLE.
The environmental impact and energy consumption must be considered criteria when selecting
equipment for handling materials.

LIFE CYCLE COST PRINCIPLE.

Develop a comprehensive economic analysis that takes into account the entire life cycle of material
handling systems.
If you want to improve your process of material handling online and end of line, contact us, we are
ready to support you.

Waste materials management

Waste and materials management research will provide ways to reuse materials, derive energy from
wastes, produce less waste and better manage unavoidable waste, which will conserve natural
resources and reduce disposal costs.

Waste management is an inevitable feature of even the basic ways of human life, work, and
organization.

Waste materials are those that no longer have any value. Yet, this concept is being undercut recently
and new techniques and ideas have been formulated in attempts to scrape value out of waste material.
After all, waste material is composed of most of the same things as the useful material it previously
was.

Thus, it is not outlandish to think that value can be regained from waste material. It is still important to
note that there are numerous hurdles and challenges to be faced in the way of proper management of
these materials.

The management of waste materials is definitely not a minor affair to be trifled with, although many
businesses see it that way.

On top of waste generation itself, there is no consideration of the environmental consequences. The
possibility of material recovery or salvaging should always be explored.

PROCESS OF WASTE MATERIALS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Introducing the 3R-RD approach, a set of guidelines for organizations to optimize their management
of waste for maximum benefits.

They include reduction at source, reuse, recycling, reclamation, and finally disposal.

Placed in order, reduction is the first action while disposal is the last. The 3R-RD is intended to give
an organization the best chances for material recovery while also limiting the environmental impact of
waste disposal.

Reduce: Current practices can be modified to make reductions to the amount of waste generated by
altering the design, manufacture, purchase, and use of materials and products.

This ties greatly into efficiency of your employees, for example, employees can be directed to
carefully print only what is necessary and to print double-sided.

On the other hand, digital compilations may replace stacks of files whenever possible.

Reuse: Reusing products is one way to prolong usefulness, delaying the disposal. Reusing involves
repair, refurbishing, or just recovery of worn and used products and material.

Examples include the encouragement of reusable cups, mugs, and cutlery as opposed to single-use,
disposable ones in your organization to avoid having to deal with the disposal of every day. This is a
process that greatly contributes to the economy of your resources.

Recycling: Recycling introduces waste materials in the process of manufacturing or transformation

from which it is derived, resulting in a product of the same nature. Plastic products see recycling the
most commonly out of all other type of products.

Reclamation: Reclamation may be divided into two parts, material reclamation which is basically
reusing, and energy reclamation.

Material reclamation consists of using waste material in place of another material with the aim of
creating a product that is different from the initial product.
Energy reclamation on the other hand is defined as the usage of materials that cannot be reused or
cycled but has the potential to generate useful energy such as heat, steam, or electricity. This is the last
action to attempt before resorting to total disposal.

Disposal: Being the last step, it goes without saying that it should never take precedence over the
other actions mentioned above.

When you do come to this stage, it should be ensured that it is done safely in a manner that does not
affect your immediate environment negatively.

Routine Maintenance Workflow:

1. Identify assets that are a good fit for routine maintenance
Repairable assets that require minimal intervention between repairs are the best fit. High-value assets
that require complex inspections or adjustments may be better suited to preventive maintenance.
(What is the difference between preventive maintenance and routine maintenance? See below.)

2. Set time-based maintenance intervals

Determining the optimal schedule for maintenance is crucial to achieving a balance between additional
maintenance costs and optimal savings. Over-maintenance elicits a phenomenon known as the ‘law of
diminishing returns’ – the more you spend on maintaining an asset, the lower your return on
investment.

3. Create a checklist for each asset

Checklists should enumerate every step of the maintenance task.

4. When the time interval is reached, perform work order

5. Assign checklist to maintenance technician
6. Perform routine maintenance

It’s also a good idea to determine if it makes financial sense to continue inspecting and repairing the
asset or if it’s more cost-effective to invest in a new one. A replacement analysis (a cost-benefit
analysis of repairing vs. replacing the asset) can help you decide. Sometimes, irrevocable wear-and-
tear or asset depreciation renders further repairs financially moot.

The Importance of Routine Maintenance

Routine maintenance prevents larger problems from occurring. Technicians can keep an eye on the
key components of a production line or system that would otherwise go unnoticed until or unless the
asset fails. It’s also a great way to train new technicians because the tasks are simple, straightforward,
and don’t require much training.

Here are some other benefits of routine maintenance:

1. Decreased downtime and longer equipment lifespan – Assets that are serviced regularly and kept in
good working condition are less likely to fail unexpectedly and more likely to last longer.
2. Reduced need for reactive maintenance – Well-maintained assets are less likely to need emergency
repairs. Reactive maintenance is costly, time-consuming, and disruptive.
3. Fewer failures and improved safety – Faulty assets can create unsafe working conditions and result
in non-compliance with OSHA requirements.
4. Creates pleasant and safe working conditions – Clean, well-maintained workspaces and reliable
equipment are key to employee retention and loyalty.
5. Reduced maintenance costs in the long run – Less unplanned downtime and emergency repairs
reduces lost productivity and revenue, despite the upfront costs.