 The Takakura Home-Method (THM) is a composting method that can be applied at the individual household level in urban areas. The THM was developed by Mr. Koji Takakura, from the Japanese Jpec company. Jpec worked in partnership with the Surabaya and Kitakyushu city councils, and the Kitakyushu International Techno-cooperative Association (KITA) based in Kitakyushu city, Japan.Household Composting Program
(Prapti Wahyuningsih, ST)
The Takakura Home-Method (THM) is a composting method that can be applied at the individual household level in urban areas.The THM was developed by Mr. Koji Takakura, from the Japanese Jpec company. Jpec worked in partnership with the Surabaya and Kitakyushu city councils, and the Kitakyushu International Techno-cooperative Association (KITA) based in Kitakyushu city, Japan.And BaliFokus is the secondary technology-transferred by KITA after PUSDAKOTA, local NGO in Surabaya. The THM uses aerobic fermentation to produce compost. The box is well ventilated, but prevents insects from entering it. The THM allows for the easy and hygienic production of good quality compost in a short period of time through the use of Native Microorganisms (NM), which are fermentation microorganisms that are locally available.What is Composting?Composting is a good way to recycle organic waste and produce a valuable resource.Composting is the breakdown of organic material such as agricultural waste, like straw, sawdust, wood, and manure, or leftover food and liquid sewage by various types of microorganisms. The types of microorganisms include bacteria, fungi, actinomycete, basidiomycete and lactic bacteria. They feed on organic waste and convert it into an earthlike mass through aerobic or anaerobic fermentation - the end result is compost. Most compost is produced through the aerobic fermentation process, which requires oxygen. The microorganisms first start to breakdown amino acids and sugars. This prevents odors, the emergence of pests, and inhibits root rot caused by rapid decomposition in soil.Additionally, the microorganisms produce metabolites. The metabolites change the nutrient composition to produce humus, which is important in agricultural soil because it helps plants to absorb nutrients and increases the fertility of the soil.During the fermentation process, the temperature of the organic mass can exceed 60°C. Disease-causing bacteria, parasites, insect eggs, weeds and other organisms, that are present in the organic mass, and are harmful to humans, animals and plants, will die or be deactivated due to the high temperatures. This means that compost is hygienic and safe. The annual average temperature of between 28 to 29°C, in Indonesia, is an ideal climate for composting. Through the introduction of appropriate technology, like the THM, urban residents will able to practice composting safely and simply, in their own homes. This would mean organic waste could be treated directly, reducing unsightly decomposing food and foul odors. It would further improve the quality of life by creating a more hygienic environment, free from flies, rodents and germs. All this, while producing a useful byproduct. The THM has many positive characteristics that will help to establish it as a practical local technology. These include:• The technology is simple• It can be used inside homes• Low energy usage • It is portable - 60 liter box (30×42×60Hcm)• It facilitates aerobic fermentation by allowing air to pass through easily• Organic waste loses most of its form within a day• There are no bad odors if good conditions are maintained within the box• Locally available materials can be used to make the box to ensure low cost production and sustainabilityThe THM’s main components are:• A commercially available plastic box or hand-made bamboo/rattan basket with good ventilation.• A piece of cardboard (ventilated) or a rice-sack placed on the side face of the plastic box or bamboo/rattan basket.• Packaged rice husks placed in the bottom of the box to absorb excess moisture.• Fermentation microorganisms/NM or finished compost put in the box.• A lid with an anti-insect net.Once all the components are brought together well chopped organic waste simply needs to be mixed well into the box. If this method is implemented it can reduce household organic waste by up to 50 to 75%. THM Model:
 
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