Composting for efficient organic waste management
Composting is a natural biological process that allows the controlled transformation of organic matter (food waste, garden waste and biodegradable materials) into compost, a stable soil amender that improves soil fertility.
At a time when waste management and environmental regeneration are at the heart of global environmental policies, composting represents a concrete response to the problems of waste overproduction and soil degradation, promoting virtuous circular economy practices.
Composting is a controlled aerobic process in which microorganisms break down organic matter in the presence of oxygen, generating heat and transforming waste into a substance similar to humus.
How the composting process works
MAIN STAGES OF THE PROCESS:
MESOPHILIC STAGE:
initial degradation of the simplest compounds
THERMOPHILIC STAGE:
increase in temperature, sanitisation of the mass
MATURATION STAGE:
stabilisation of the material, formation of compost
The composting process is divided into three main stages: mesophilic, thermophilic and maturation.
Composting is therefore not only a valid strategy for reducing organic waste, but also an important opportunity to regenerate the soil and reduce the environmental impact of human activities.
Local composting is a sustainable practice that allows organic waste to be managed directly where it is produced, reducing transport costs and emissions. To Italian law, there are different types of local composting:
- Home composting
- Community composting
- Local composting
Home composting:
consists of composting carried out by individual households or companies that treat their own organic waste independently at the place of production.
Community composting:
is a form of composting shared by the inhabitants of a municipality, a group of citizens, schools or small local entities. It is carried out in equipped areas and managed collectively, with the support and supervision of local authorities.
Local composting:
refers to the treatment of organic waste close to the place of production. Operations are usually managed by the municipality and the company that collects the waste, with the aim of reducing the transport of organic waste. The machinery is located in a recycling centre and the waste is usually delivered directly from the vehicle that carries out door-to-door collection.
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