Abstract
The evaluation of layout influence on the operational performance and usability of small-scale composters contributes to produce compact solutions with simplified operation and sanitary safety, suitable for reduced spaces and continued use. This study aims to report the influence of different designs on the composting process and the usability of compost bins. Five composters of similar scale (3 liters) and different geometric shapes were designed, manufactured, and tested. Bench tests were carried out for 60 days, and physical, chemical, and sanitary parameters were monitored, as well as the quality of the compost, according to agronomic parameters. The composters were filled with the same proportions of organic res-idues (food residues, dry leaves, and lawn trimming) to obtain the ideal C:N ratio. Three ge-ometrical layouts were tested concerning usability (hexagonal prism, cube, and parallelepi-ped) by volunteers for 50 days. The performed tests associated with the statistical treatment of results showed that the geometry of the prototypes interfered with the quality of the final compost and the composter operation. The hexagonal prism and the cube showed greater us-ability. The results represent a significant contribution to the advancement of solutions in decentralized composting.
Highlights
Minimizing and valuing domestic waste are important strategies to address the challenges of solid waste management in the cities
Several countries adopt public policies concerning organic waste, known as food waste, which expands the discussion on issues of combating hunger and sustainability, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 11 of the agenda approved by the United Nations for sustainable development, called “Agenda 2030” (ONU, 2015)
Geometric models with a rectangular and cylindrical base were selected for the study because they were more common in both bibliographic and marketing research
Summary
Organic waste is part of household waste composition and has an indirect relationship with the socioeconomic conditions of its generators. The percentage of organic waste generated in developed countries (34.32%) is lower than in developing countries (61.33%) and underdeveloped countries (64.21%) (FEIL; SPILKI; SCHREIBER, 2015). It has great potential, organic waste has not been prioritized for recovery due to lack of specific segregation and considerable operational costs for its treatment. Once disposed of together with common waste, it represents a significant volume to be collected and transported to landfills, reducing its useful life and increasing the operational costs of these procedures. When discarded in an environmentally inappropriate manner, it can cause environmental impacts with effects on human health due to the degradation that generates leachate (an unpleasant odor) and attracts and proliferates disease vectors (GÜNTHER, 2005)
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