Verification of the technical feasibility of composting: case study

Abstract

The aim of this work is to verify the technical feasibility of composting in the case of Marrakech prefecture. On the basis of waste composition and in accordance with the choice of the installation of Marrakech controlled landfill, composting has been considered as the most suitable waste treatment. To ensure the feasibility of composting, physicochemical analyses have been carried out on the fermentable part of waste; analyses on the content of metal elements have also been performed on the fine fraction, since the most important part is located in the same fraction. All parameters determined in the laboratory, have shown that optimal conditions to have good quality compost have been respected. The only restriction identified is the copper content, which should be less than 20 ppm. Generally the low levels of metal element content indicate that the storage and collection conditions of waste have not influenced their quality. On the other hand, the process must be properly controlled and managed, to produce high-quality compost.