Evaluation of different composting systems on an industrial scale as a contribution to the circular economy and its impact on human health

ABSTRACT

Due to the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), large-scale composting can cause air pollution and occupational health issues. Due to this, it is necessary to determine if the amount generated poses a health risk to plant workers, which can be a starting point for those in charge of composting plant facilities. As a result, the goal of this work is to conduct a thorough analysis of both the physicochemical features and the VOC generation of three large-scale systems. For ten weeks, the three different composting plants were monitored weekly, and VOC identification and quantification were performed using GC-MS gas chromatography. It has been observed that the biggest risk related with VOC formation occurs between the fourth and fifth weeks, when microbial activity is at its peak. Similarly, it has been demonstrated that xylenes and toluene are the ones that are produced in the greatest quantity. Finally, after ten weeks of processing, it was discovered that the material obtained complies with the regulations for the sale of an amendment.

Implications: The evaluation and monitoring of the composting processes at an industrial scale is very important, due to the implications they bring. VOCs are produced by the operation of composting facilities with substantial amounts of solid waste, such as the companies in this study. These may pose a health risk to those working in the plants; thus, it is critical to understand where the VOCs occur in the process in order to maintain workers’ occupational health measures. This form of evaluation is rare or nonexistent in Colombia, which is why conducting this type of study is critical, as it will provide crucial input into determining when the highest levels of VOC generation occur. These are the ones that may pose a risk at some point, but with proper occupational safety planning, said risk may be avoided. This work has evaluated three composting systems, with different types of waste and mixtures. According to reports, while composting systems continue to produce VOCs and their generation is unavoidable, the potential risk exists only within the plant. These findings can pave the way for the implementation of public policies that will improve the design and operation of composting plants. There is no specific legislation in Colombia for the design and execution of this sort of technology, which allows the use of organic waste

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article (and/or) its supplementary materials as per the reference list below.

Supplementary Material

Supplemental data for this paper can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2023.2235299.

Additional information

Funding

This work was carried out with financial support from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Universidad de Los Andes. Juan F. Saldarriaga thanks the UPV/EHU for his MAZAM22/27 scholarship, financed by the Ministry of Universities, the European Union and the European Union-Next GenerationEU, and the Universidad de los Andes for his STAI. Daniela Zapata thanks the University of Medellín for her doctoral scholarship.

Notes on contributors

Julián E. López

Julián E. López is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Architecture and Engineering at the Institución Universitaria Colegio Mayor de Antioquia, in Medellín, Colombia.

Daniela Zapata

Daniela Zapata is a researcher in the Environmental Engineering Program of the Faculty of Engineering at the Universidad de Medellín, Medellín Colombia.

Juan F. Saldarriaga

Juan F. Saldarriaga is an associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering at the Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.