MSW and many other solid waste streams contain a high proportion of organic material which if dumped in a landfill will generate methane which is a greenhouse gas 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Composting the organics produces a stable soil-like material containing macro-nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium with essential trace elements required for healthy plants. In addition, the compost also adds carbon back into the soil to produce a healthy well balanced environment for the micro-organisms that inhabit the rhizosphere (root zone) and actually feed nutrients to the plant. The compost also retains moisture and improves the structure of the soil, preventing soil errosion and improving its porosity. |
By composting the organic fraction of our waste streams it is possible to produce a high quality, reliable compost for beneficial use. At a time of global warming and increasing desertification, in-vessel composting offers a sustainable solution that closes the Carbon Cycle by safely returning most of the organic carbon, from our waste, directly back to the producing soil. |
