.A.S.A. anticipates that there will be a signi-
ficant increase in biological waste over the
coming years as municipal waste collection
systems gradually increase.
The reasons for composting
The main reason for composting is to redu-
ce the volume of waste delivered to landfill
sites: an obligation of EU countries with strict
deadlines for meeting this target.
It is important to limit the proportion of
biodegradable waste at landfill sites since
biowaste is a source of leachate and biogas,
mainly methane, which represents most of
the biogas produced that has a significant
greenhouse gas effect. Compost provides
nutrients to the soil and also has anti-erosion
properties (the ability to retain more water in
the soil). Therefore, the use of compost in
agriculture offers several advantages such
as improving the structure of the soil and,
consequently, the health of plants, increa-
sing the yield and quality of fruits and vege-
tables. Produced compost can also be used
for the recovery of landfill sites.
The greatest challenge
.A.S.A.’s experience underscores that the
greatest challenge for the compost busi-
ness in to be able to sell the product. Ne-
vertheless, people are becoming increasin-
gly aware that compost is the same or even
more efficient that synthetic compost: it con-
tains the same nutrients but at a lower cost.
Compost, therefore, is a valuable alternative
resource for replacing industrial fertilizers.
t h e p l a c e
