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Compost and organic trash/how it works and how to apply

Composting requires five ingredients: organic matter, nitrogen, microorganisms, water and oxygen. Composting changes the nutrients in raw organic materials to a form that can be absorbed by the roots of growing plants. In a moist and oxygen rich environment, microorganisms such as soil bacteria and fungi (often aided by tiny scavengers such as insects, mites and earthworms) accomplish this task by secreting enzymes that break down (decompose) the organic materials. The activity of these microorganisms can generate temperatures inside the compost pile in excess of 130°F - high enough to kill most weed seeds and disease organisms. Many types of organic materials can be used for composting: fruit rinds, cores, and peels, vegetables, vegetables leaves and skins, tea leaves, coffee grounds, stale bread, eggshells, grass clippings, weeds, fallen leaves, wood ashes…. The use of bones or dairy products is not recommended for composting, as they discompose very slowly.

1. How is compost formed?

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Green waste and organic household waste can be turned into valuable fertilizer through composting. You know that? When you collect organic waste, you are making possible its transformation, avoiding incineration, and allowing it to be transformed in a sustainable new material, which is called compost. Compost is a new product, similar than sand but with fantastic properties, as it is reach in minerals. This minerals are a perfect fertilizer for the lands and orchard and are an alternative to chemical fertilizers for farmers.

Unit 15.3: Definition of the bio-waste

A lot of cities and villages collects organic waste in containers (see Unit 16.1) and prepare compost on a large scale. Sometimes citizens can go to the composing plants to collect compost and sometimes this compost is sold to farmers.

2. Who can create compost?

If you want, you can create your own compost at home, using your organic waste. It is and easy process, but you have to be aware of the different actions you have to do. Sometimes you will need a special space with special conditions, that’s why not everybody is prepared for this.

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3. The importance of composing around the world

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Bio-waste — mainly food and garden waste — is the largest single component of municipal waste and is also generated in agriculture and industry. Diverging policies for this important waste fraction are found in European countries, and its management varies depending on local conditions and capabilities. Many European countries have already implemented the separate collection of bio-waste, but some are still searching for the best practices and means of implementation. Moreover, organic matter is a key component of soil, controlling many vital functions. It has been estimated that 45 % of European soils have a very low organic matter content. This is particularly the case in the soils of many southern European countries, but also in parts of Belgium, France, Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom (JRC, 2012). Repeated applications of good-quality compost can improve the soil's ability to retain water and nutrients and to store carbon, as well as raising its fertility. In some regions, compost is competing with other organic fertilizers such as manure or digestate (e.g. in Belgium and the Netherlands), leading to an oversupply of organic fertilizers. Using good-quality compost to replace inorganic N P K fertilizer, as well as peat in growing media, has environmental benefits because the production of mineral fertilizers and the harvesting of peat are avoided. Finally, compost is of value for growing media because of its microbial diversity. The current legal framework is trying to push composting as one of the main practices for food waste reduction. This include an obligation for all EU Member States to collect bio-waste separately or ensure recycling at source from the end of 2023

MODULE 15: Sustainability and green economy

¡You have successfully completed Unit 15.3!