Susteco Big Hanna T120, Operation Manual, Page: 67 / 113

5 START-UP ROUTINES AND FOLLOW-UP
5.1 ROUTINES FOR START-UP – HOUSEHOLD WASTE
The key-point in a start-up phase is to facilitate in every way a rich bacterial activity. Normally food
from households has, in practice, already started the decomposing process when loaded into the
composter. In general therefore this situation is not a problem - within a few days the temperature
is rising and the biological process has commenced.

THE FIRST TWO BAGS OF COMPOST MATERIAL THAT THE COMPOSTER PRODUCES SHOULD
BE PUT INTO THE COMPOSTER AGAIN.

DURING THE START-UP PERIOD THE BIOLOGICAL PROCESS REQUIRES MORE ABSORBENT
MATERIAL. DURING THE REMAINING START-UP PERIOD THE FINISHED COMPOST MATERIAL
IS PREFERABLY RECYCLED ONCE IN A WHILE.
5.1.1 INITIAL STARTING BATCH
When installation is made an initial starting batch of absorbent material is put into the composter
plus if available one batch of horse manure and/or a batch of composted material to get a really
quick start-up.
Model T480
Pellets 100 kg
Manure 600 litre
Compost 600 litre
5.1.2 ABSORBENT MATERIAL DURING START-UP
The required amount of absorbent material during start-up will vary until the biological process has
started. Within the community where the composter is installed new routines in the handling of the
household waste must be carried out. In housing areas the recommendation is to appoint one
person to be in charge of both the composter and adding sawdust or pellets. Every composter has
its own unique biological process and therefore it is difficult to recommend how much sawdust
that should be put into the composter.
5.1.3 START UP – HOUSEHOLD WASTE
If the residents put their food waste into the machine themselves they may also add a proportion of
sawdust / pelletised sawdust with their food waste. In some circumstances a caretaker is instructed
to add sawdust / pelletised sawdust 3 times a week. If this is the case – during start-up, this
schedule should be followed.
Sawdust Pellets
Model Total kgs / week
Kgs to feed
3 times/week Total kgs/ week
kgs to feed
3 times/week
T480 240 80 240 80