ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Production and Characterization of Compost
Made from Garden and Other Waste
Iris Estévez-Schwarz1, Socorro Seoane-Labandeira1, Avelino Núñez-Delgado1,
María Elvira López-Mosquera2
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1Departament Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Polytechnic School, Spain
2IBADER, Campus Universitario, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2012;21(4):855-864
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ABSTRACT
Different types of compost were made in a pilot plant, from pruning remains (percentages in volume
ranging between 40-60%), leaf litter (20-30%), sewage sludge (0-10%), and biomass ash (0-20%). The aim of
our study was to promote the utilization of plant remains to produce compost that, once stabilized and sanitized,
could be used as an organic amendment and/or substrate. After six and a half months, all of the composts
produced were stable, sanitized, and did not contain phytotoxic substances. However, the composts containing
sludge and ash became stabilized and sanitized more rapidly than the others, and generally contained
higher quantities of nutrients. The highest quality compost was produced by mixing 20% leaf litter, 10%
sludge, 10% ash, and 60% pruning remains (% volume), and supplied highest quantities of phosphorus, calcium,
magnesium, and potassium. This compost was categorized as class B, on the basis of the contents of
chromium and zinc, i.e. it can be used as potting compost or mixed with other materials to lower the contents
of chromium and zinc.