Use of the Organic Fraction of Urban Solid Waste to Recover Degraded Areas in Chilca, Peru

The treatment of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Peru and some parts of the world is still incipient, mainly due to the lack of technologies implemented to recover this waste; another important cause in Peru is the lack of studies for the treatment of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). The objectives of this work were: (i) to determine the generation of OFMSW, (ii) to produce quality compost and (iii) to estimate the application rate for the recovery of degraded surfaces. Tools and instruments acquired from the Institute of Sanitary Engineering of FIUBA and the Ministry of the Environment were used to measure physicochemical parameters and environmental estimates. The results showed a per capita MSW generation of 0.472 kg/inhab/day, of which 42.87% was composed of OFMSW or organic fraction of MSW; a feasible availability of organic matter for composting of 6783.79 t/year was determined. The composting experiment was carried out with waste segregated at the MSW treatment plant, installing composting piles with-structurants (WE) consisting of shavings, sawdust and garden waste, and no-structurants (NS). Despite the unfavorable climatic conditions of the region, the maturity and physicochemical properties of the compost were similar to MSW composts recorded elsewhere, with few differences between NS and WE. The main limitation of compost quality was the concentration of heavy metals Cd, Pb and Zn, which were close to or above the limits established in several regulations, which can be significantly reduced by segregating the OFMSW at source. Annual limits and cumulative load limits were used for 10-year applications, the calculated precautionary doses were 25 t/ha/year and 85 t/ha for 10 years in dry weight; correcting for moisture content, the precautionary dose was 40 t/ha/year in wet weight. Depending on the organic fraction of MSW available, compost production and the precautionary dose, 60 to 80 ha/year of degraded agricultural areas and forest plantation nurseries could be recovered with compost; using lower doses it is possible to cover a larger area. From the results, the work provides valuable information to elaborate an integrated MSW management plan, closing the cycle of production, treatment , beneficial use.