This week is International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW), a yearly initiative held in a number of countries in the first week of May, in which Waste Agency of Catalonia and the Catalan Water Agency are taking part. During the week, institutions wanting to get involved organise a number of awareness-raising and informative actions in relation to compost.
Therefore, on Tuesday 7 May from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food (DARP) will install two compost bins at the entrance to its Central Services in Barcelona, for visitors to take a bag of compost to use on their garden and plants. The aim is to publicise and promote the use of compost and explain where it comes from, how it should be used and what its benefits are.
Compost is the product of aerobic decomposition of organic matter through the composting process, for subsequent use as an organic fertiliser and soil corrector. It is not only considered a good tool for improving soil and crop quality, but can also be used as an organic fertiliser for gardens and house plants.
In this case, the bags distributed by DARP contain compost made from manure, an organic product that contains a large number of nutrient and organic matter. Composting means livestock waste is recovered as an organic fertiliser, reducing its weight and volume and concentrating its nutrients. It can then be adapted to customers’ requirements and transported to areas where it is needed. A well produced compost provides stable organic matter that releases nutrients more slowly, while also improving soil quality.
Given the need for the production sector to think in terms of BIOECONOMICS, promoting composting is an excellent option to ensure sustainable use of nutrients, improvements to soil quality and, furthermore, help combat climate change.
