Composting Municipal Waste for Soil Recultivation in Bulgaria

Abstract

Aims: Agriculture is the main source of soil degradation processes in Bulgaria. Therefore the re-cultivation of soil is an important task. The possibilities for using composted municipal waste for soil re-cultivation in Bulgaria are discussed on the case of plant processing municipal solid waste in Plovdiv. Presentation of Case: The plant for processing of municipal waste with capacity 125,000 t/yr built in the neighbourhood of Plovdiv is presented. The case study has been prepared in the Department of Agro chemistry and the Department of Mathematics, Informatics and Physics of the Agricultural University, Plovdiv in collaboration with the National Biomass Association between March 2013 and August 2013. Discussion: Bulgaria has a good infrastructure and an adequate waste management framework. About 85% of the generated waste is transported to the depots and approximately 52% of the total amount of waste is biodegradable. Plant for processing of municipal waste with capacity 125 000 t/yr is built in Plovdiv region. The installation is designed for the processing of municipal solid waste in Plovdiv and other regional municipalities. After primary separation of the components of municipal waste the organic component is used for composting. Data about compost content are presented because of its importance for the re-cultivation. Conclusions: The processing of municipal waste for producing compost of organic origin that can be used for soil re-cultivation (to recover nutrients and improve structure) allows reducing the area of dunghills, unpleasant smell, and Greenhouse Gas emissions.