Best practice for bio-waste collection as a prerequisite for high-quality compost

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

  • Henning Friege
  • Yasmin Eger

Due to its high content of humic substances, compost from bio-waste improves the structure and fertility of soils serving also as a sink for CO2. But compost is also contaminated with numerous compounds, for example, plastics, glass particles, etc., mostly due to incorrect sorting by the waste producer, that is, households. The contamination even increases when covering areas of a high population density as is also evident from experience in Germany with a steadily increasing proportion of bio-waste. Only compost with high quality and minimum contamination is an acceptable fertilizer. A structured interview of experts investigated which measures or combinations of measures are best suitable to reduce the rate of misplaced materials in the organic waste. Only responsible persons were interviewed whose municipalities extensively collect separately bio-waste since years and have a low rate of unwanted materials. The questions focus on the identification of the misplacements according to their kind and quantity, the respective collection system, the regional statutes and their enforcement as well as the kind and extent of public awareness measures. The respective necessary measures are being discussed. This systemic approach can be transferred to other regions that intend to collect large quantities of bio-waste separately.

Original languageEnglish
JournalWaste Management and Research
Volume40
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)104-110
Number of pages7
ISSN0734-242X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.01.2022

Bibliographical note

The survey was part of the master thesis performed by Yasmin Eger. We are indebted to all interview partners for their time and their valuable and transparent information. f4transcription software and f4analysis (all media equipment, e.g., audio recording, transcription devices, etc.) was provided by Leuphana University. The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

    Research areas

  • bio-waste, carbon sequestration, compost, microplastic, Organic waste, plastic, public awareness, separate collection, source separation
  • Biology

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