Research Project
Community composting projects are popular and effective waste management processes used in many urban environments throughout Europe. They involve the co-operation of communities in the management of their own wastes, thereby implementing the proximity principle and increasing awareness of best practice waste management.
The Ballymun Community Composting Project, which is funded by the EPA Environmental Research Technological Development and Innovation (ERTDI) programme, is identifying the challenges and support systems required for the development of such projects in the Irish urban environment.
All aspects of the process from waste collection to compost distribution and utilisation are being investigated.
Project Details
A Big Hanna T-120 in-vessel aerobic composting system processes the putrescible waste from approximately 100 households in Santry Cross. Compost produced is analysed by Bord na Mona to confirm premium quality and is being used in growth trials at the National Botanic Gardens aimed at promoting biowaste compost use. Compost is also used in Gardening projects throughout Ballymun.
In addition to the obvious environmental benefits, such as reduction in landfill use and greenhouse gas emissions, significant financial and social benefits have been realised.
Materials and Methods
Stage 1 - Site selection
Building on the findings of an extensive reserach study the project identifies the most appropriate location for the programme in Ballymun.
Stage 2 - Project initiation
An in-vessel composting system will be selected and purchased for the project. A community composting awareness programme will be initiated in the apartment block to promote the benefits of composting organic waste and to clarify the waste segregation process.
Stage 3 - Quality assurance programme
A comprehensive quality management system is established to ensure consistency in methodology and compost quality.
Stage 4 - Compost trials
following initial compost analysis, pot trials will be carried out to determine the potential benefits of biowaste-produced compost in horticultural applications.
Stage 5 - Development of compost markets
A programme to promote compost use in horticultural applicaitons will be developed.
Final reports
STRIVE - Implementation of an Urban Community Composting Programme - SUMMARY of findings. Click Here
STRIVE - Implementation of an Urban Community Composting programme - Final Report 2009. Click Here
Contact
To find out more about this project please contact Andy Wilson
email: andy@rediscoverycentre.ie
phone: (01) 222 5757