Composting: organic matter accounts for more than 40% of our garbage bag. In addition, organic matter is essential for our soils, many of them in desertification processes ( Advantages of Composting ) . Proper management of these wastes is essential through the practice of decentralized composting and selective separation at source where composting has to be centralized.
Organic matter is the most abundant element in the garbage bag. But its current management is very poor. It is mostly collected mixed with the rest of the waste not destined for recycling, and in the best case, it is separated in triage plants, to then carry out a process that was previously called composting. The result, called compost, is of poor quality, so farmers are not willing to apply it on their land. With the new waste law of 2011, this material can no longer be called compost, but biostabilized material. The compost will be the one made from the selective separation in origin of the organic matter. In 2020, 50% of the organic matter must be recycled.
With these premises, in Amigos de la Tierra we request, and propose as a better option for local administrations the implementation of the separation at source of the organic fraction of waste . There are several collection systems, an extra container or door-to-door separation. In addition, by separating the compostable part from the rest of the waste, the non-recyclable fraction could be analyzed, to reduce it to the maximum.
We also work to promote domestic and community composting , in which citizens can compose their organic waste ( composting manual ) or by obtaining an excellent quality fertilizer. These projects have been underway for more than 10 years, with more than 30,000 participants. The benefits of these projects are very wide, reduction of waste in the municipal circuit, citizen involvement, environmental education and reduction of CO2 emissions ( Composting: recipe to reduce the carbon footprint ).
