LIFE 00 ENV/E/000543 Co-composting procedures in forestry, landscaping and agriculture

Contacts
Website: www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/planesmed/life/ind_proyectolifeEN.html
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Biological Conversion : Composts/Fertilisers : Forestry : LIFE Projects

Type of Project	Demonstration
Contract No	LIFE 00 ENV/E/000543
Total Cost	990 KEuro
EC Contribution	464 KEuro
Start Date	15-12-2000
Duration	36 Months

Abstract

This project brought together a group of participants from Andalusia and the Algarve to disseminate and demonstrate the efficacy of co-composting municipal waste as a source of organic slow-release fertiliser. Andalusia (Spain) and the Algarve (Portugal), along with other European regions, are generating increasing quantities of municipal organic waste.

The LIFE project showed that 'co-composting' - joint composting of organic waste, such as household rubbish, bio-solids from urban wastewater treatment plants and plant remains from parks and gardens - is technically feasible and worthwhile both from an economic and an environmental point-of-view. The project was implemented in Andalusia and the Algarve with 10 participating private and company partners.

In the first phase, compost was processed at two plants that initially did not carry out co-composting. In the second phase the compost obtained was tested as humus for its use as an organic fertiliser in forests and agricultural cultivation.

In the third and closing phase the results were widely disseminated.

Additionally, a 'LIFE Compost Office' was created in Andalusia to provide a permanent feed-back point and information about co-composting technology and the application of compost. The project successfully mixed different ratios of organic waste to manufacture three compost types using an open, simple and cost-effective system.

The incorporation of chipped park and garden trimmings wastes allowed for better aeration during fermentation. This, coupled with the strict composting conditions, generated a stable, hygienic end product of high quality. Additionally, a compost-spreader was designed to expand the possibilities of a traditional manure spreader. This prototype is able to automatically self-level, while spreading the material on terrain with slopes of up to 17%. This means that as well as distributing material uniformly on flat surfaces, it can be used on hilly terrain, typically used in the areas for olive cultivation.

The results were also extensively disseminated via the LIFE Compost Office and the project website, both of which remain open. The details on the manufacture of compost and its use have also been disseminated through an Andalusian and Algarvian Network where users can share experiences.

Beneficiary Consejería de Medio Ambiente de la Junta de Andalucía,

Contacts

Contact

• Esperanza CARO GOMEZ / Consejería de Medio Ambiente de la Junta de Andalucía Andalusian Regional Ministry for the Environment / SPAIN