Compost manual : correct composting - tips and tricks / publisher: German Environment Agency Section III 2.4 "Waste Technology, Waste Technology Transfer" ; authors: Ralf Menzel, Barbara Friedrich, Tim Hermann, Ling He, Dr. Katrin Scholz, Dr. Regine Szewzyk ; editors: Ralf Menzel, Tim Hermann, Ling He, Volker Weiss

Abstract

One of the environmental challenges we are facing today is the closing of materials loop in a resource-efficient and environmentally friendly way. This also applies to organic waste stream. Meanwhile, legislators are not just leaving it all up to the commitment of amateur gardeners to recycle organic waste. The great majority of organic waste from private households will be collected separately and treated in centralized anaerobic digestion or composting facilities. Subsequently the digestate and compost can be used in agriculture and horticulture as fertilizer and soil improver. The Circular Economy Act and the Organic Waste Ordinance as well as the Fertilizer and Fertilization Ordinances regulate the centralized treatment and utilization of organic waste. However, there are very few obligatory specifications for the recycling of organic waste in the home garden. This compost manual is intended to provide assistance and answer questions in this regard.