Compostaje de Residuos Sólidos Orgánicos del Mercado Mayorista de Riobamba a Escala Semi-Industrial

Abstract

The aim of this technical work was to compost solid waste generated in the San Pedro de Riobamba wholesale market, located in Riobamba county, Chimborazo province. Three composting piles were formed: pile 1: market waste 1200kg and chaff 200kg; pile 2: market waste 1000kg and pruning waste 500kg; pile 3: market waste 900kg, chaff 600kg and pruning waste 300kg. The initial conditions of the piles were determined through the following parameters: pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter and germination index. Aeration, temperature, humidity, pH, electrical conductivity and organic matter were monitored throughout the composting process. The highest temperature registered (62.4 degrees Celsius), corresponded to pile 3. The biooxidative period lasted 184 days and the maturation stage 52 days. In the final product, the presence of macronutrients and the germination index were determined to establish the quality of the compost, resulting pile 2 the one with the highest amount of macronutrients. The germination indexes registered were 83.52%, 73.72% and 81.75% for piles 1, 2 and 3 respectively; thus, compost presented an acceptable quality. To reduce the composting time, it is recommended to shred the waste to a size from 1 cm to 4 cm.