Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
(2) Potential Application in Case Study Area
The local separation of solid waste and local vermicomposting of organic
solid waste will result in an overall decrease of the amount of waste to be
collected. This, in turn, will lower the strain on the municipal waste col-
lection service so that they can extend their services. Another advantage
is that awareness about waste production and treatment is created with the
inhabitants, making them more aware of their actions and hence less in-
clined to pollute the environment. Lastly, valuable nutrients are conserved
and can be used in the chinampas and gardens as natural fertilizer and soil
conditioners.
Vermicomposting is technologically relatively simple to conduct. It
will, however, require a behavior change as solid waste will need to be
separated. Also, the organic solid waste will be composted near the house,
in the yard, which is something that not all households are eager to do,
especially as the compost pile might need to be over-turned for active
aeration. If it is done, one will need to construct a box (usually 1 m
3
).
The composting pile will need to have a relative humidity of 70%, and
an average temperature of 21 degrees Celsius for the reproduction of the
worms. However, during the composting process temperatures can exceed
60 degrees Celsius, which will result in a reduction of pathogens. During
(vermi-)composting in general a mass reduction of 10%-30% can be ex-
pected [34,35].
2.4.4 RESULTS—RESOURCES FLOW ANALYSIS
Based on the three concept scenarios identified during the workshop and
the technologies allocated to each concept scenario resources fl ows were
identifi ed and calculated.
The goal of the concept scenario “Local Identity” is the conservation
of local values which is related to the cultivation of chinampas and the
prevention of external infl uences. In this concept scenario individual tech-
nical solution are preferred over centralized ones to become more inde-
pendent from Mexico City.
By implementing multiple on-site technologies waste streams can be
collected and treated separately (Table 6). In this concept scenario various
