The Friends of the Earth organization has presented a guide for companies to develop the organic waste composting. Tons of natural resources are wasted every day in the form of waste. A large percentage of these are organic. Composting has economic and environmental benefits that businesses (and also households) should take advantage of.
Organic waste is estimated to account for between 30 and 50% of total urban solid waste. Therefore, managing them properly is extremely important. A large part end up in landfills and incinerators, that is, they are wasted. Organic residues can be used to restore soil fertility.
The composting It is an aerobic process (in the presence of oxygen), without bad odors or putrefaction, through which organic matter is transformed by the action of microorganisms and soil decomposers. The result is compost, a quality organic fertilizer that provides practically the same beneficial effects to the land on which it is applied as humus for a natural soil.
Environmental benefits of composting
But what benefits of composting for society? First of all, it has the following environmental benefits:
- The organic matter cycle is closed.
- Natural resources are recovered and recycled.
- The amount of municipal solid waste that goes to landfills or incineration is reduced, thus avoiding problems such as soil contamination and emissions from decomposition in landfills or burning in incinerators.
- The compost resulting from the process favors the productivity of the land without contaminating it with chemicals that are harmful to ecosystems and that end up joining our food chain.
- It is a natural fertilizer, corrector of the structure of the soil, protector against erosion and growing substrate.
- It can also be used in garden and recreational areas to protect and enhance your fertilization needs.
- Immature or crushed compost from pruning remains can also be used as mulch in municipal squares, tree pits, etc., providing the city with spaces closer to nature.
Economic benefits of composting
But also has social and economic benefits:
- It is a form of environmental education.
- It encourages citizen participation and values such as responsibility, teamwork or respect for other people.
- For the Town Councils it means savings in the cost of collecting and managing organic waste.
If you want to read more articles similar to Advantages of composting, we recommend that you enter our Recycling and waste management category.
