Quality of compost based on urban organic waste in Leoncio Prado-Peru

Abstract

Introduction. In Peru, municipal solid waste in 2021 reached 8,215,355.9 tons and only 61.28 % is disposed of in sanitary landfills to be treated through composting; however, its implementation is deficient and requires studies to obtain a usable product as a substrate or amendment and reduce environmental pollution. Objective. The study determined the levels of nutrients, heavy metals, fecal microorganisms, and the quality of compost based on solid urban organic waste produced at the Shapajilla Valorization Plant in the Leoncio Prado province of Peru. Materials and methods. Four piles of organic solid waste were composted and evaluated for nutrients, heavy metals, fecal microorganisms, and quality based on Chilean Standard 2880 and Spanish Standard 824. Results. 95 % of the composted materials were food waste, fruit and peelings, and there were no differences between the piles evaluated. During processing, the temperature reached the different stages and the pH increased. High pH levels (>7.50) and low levels of Ca, Mg and K (< 1 %) were found; heavy metals presented differences and low levels, with absence of microorganisms of fecal origin, and the composts were of intermediate quality (B). Conclusions. The compost produced is of intermediate quality, free of metals and pathogenic microorganisms, and can be used as a substrate or amendment with some limitations, due to the high pH levels and low levels of Ca, Mg and K.