Home composting as as a means of minimizing waste and social mobilization: Case in Vila Santo Antonio, Campos de Jordão, SP, Brasil

Abstract

Domestic composting is an alternative for the correct destination of domestic wastes, practiced by their generators by means of simple techniques, whenever there is availability of land and possibility of using the compost. It can be employed as an alternative to minimize the collecting and disposal problems in communities not served by a municipal collecting system and in situations of social and environmental risks. This paper assesses the implementation of domestic composting plants in the community of Vila Santo Antonio, located in the municipality of Campos do Jordão, State of São Paulo, Brazil, together with an Environmental Education Program – EEP that encouraged, motivated and informed the local community. A gravimetric analysis was conducted for quantitative evaluation of the wastes from the collecting sector studied, before and after the application of the EEP. Domestic composting plants were implemented, monitored and evaluated on a monthly basis during a 12-month period. At the end of the period of study there was a reduction of 380 kg (55%) in the average of solid wastes generated daily and a reduction of 282 kg (83%) of the organic fraction in relation to the initial analysis. The conclusion is that domestic composting can be successful as a practice to be encouraged by the municipalities as an instrument to minimize domestic wastes and promote social mobilization. The results are even better if domestic composting is implemented together with an Environmental Education Program, designed according to the local reality.