Composting in Brazil

Abstract

In order to reduce the volume of waste to be disposed ofin the landfills, and consequentlyincrease their lifetime, solutions such as incineration, pre treatment of the waste andrecycling are recommended. Composting is a method of recycling by using the organicwaste nutrients, which can be utilised for agricultural fertilisation and improvement ofsoil structure by increasing its capacity to resist erosion. Many composting factories werebuilt in Brazil, but few of them are still working adequately. Selection of a methoddepends on factors like waste characteristics, environmental, economic and socialconditions of the place where it will be constructed and the organisation of the stateadministration. This work presents the actual state of utilisation of composting techniquein Brazil, as well as some analysis of compost produced at some factories. It presents alsoan analysis for the reasons why after several experiences, the composting process are notimplemented in Brazil in a way that it could be considered an advantageous procedure forless industrialised countries.