Composting of Food and Yard Wastes under the Static Aerated Pile Method

Abstract

This work presents the results that were obtained in a commercial composting plant where food (149,690 kg) and yard wastes (144,520 kg) were used as raw materials for its stabilization under the aerated static pile (ASP) method as an alternative to the mechanically mixed windrow method to solve problems of flies and odor nuisance complaints. In a pile of approximately 498 m3, the change in temperature was the main parameter that was evaluated during 49 days of positive forced aeration. Subsequently, a part of the material of the ASP (62 m3) was subjected to a curing period for 44 days recording changes in temperature and humidity. The results of carbon dioxide and volatile ammonia emissions analyses (NH3) and of a bioassay to screen for the presence of phytotoxic conditions showed a very mature compost with an emergence > 90% and a seedling vigor > 95%.