BIODIGESTER BALES: METHOD FOR THE ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT OF ORGANIC RESIDUES

Abstract

The environmental and public health problems by inadequate management oforganic waste continue to worsen in many parts of the world. The high rates ofwaste generation associated with deficiencies in collection and treatment servicesare a source of negative impacts; the inadequate disposition of the material boundto an incorrect separation causes proliferation of pest species, bad smells, toxicgases formation, fumes and dust that contribute to the contamination of theecosystems. The cause of these problems that alter the quality of the environmentand the health of the people is certainly of anthropic origin, because in nature, therecycling of nutrients is an essential function for life. In view of this scenario, it isproposed the implementation of an ecological method, alternative to traditionalcompost, which has been proven effective by developing it in higher educationinstitutions and university. Among the benefits offered is the management of tonsof organic material in small spaces, the sustainable use of waste derived from foodconsumed in schools, among others. Studies for the analysis and evaluation of thephysicochemical and nutritional quality of the organic fertilizer obtained indifferent climatic conditions, from biodigester bales assembled in Medellín,Colombia and Texcoco, Mexico, showed favorable amounts of nutrients thatbenefit the growth of seedlings planted in the same bale or when applied asfertilizer in gardens and orchards. Therefore, the development of this proposal alsobenefits the urban and ecological agriculture areas.