Marketing Compost (EAWAG) - The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

Composting methods
Photograph: Jonathan Rouse
Barrel composting (Dhaka, Bangladesh)
This barrel is installed in a low-income area in
Dhaka, Bangladesh. It receives organic waste
from four families. The compost produced is of
high quality as the waste is uncontaminated. It
is sold to a local NGO.
Photograph: Johannes Paul
Photograph: Silke Rothenberger
Vermi composting (Bais City, Philippines)
Vermi composting predominantly uses worms
rather than microorganisms to digest the waste.
Raw materials are spread daily in thin layers and
cannot be piled very high, so the technique requires
much more space than other methods.
Worms are also more sensitive to temperature
and contamination than microorganisms. The advantage
of vermi-composting is the high nutrient
content and public acceptance of the product.
Pit composting (Pune, India)
Biodegradable waste is placed in shallow pits
and left to decompose for several months.
This method is very simple and often practised
in public parks or domestic gardens. In rainy
conditions, it is susceptible to water logging.
Photograph: Silke Rothenberger
Pile composting (Jordan, Palestinian
Territories)
In Arab countries, various types of waste, such
as animal manure, saw dust, straw, and agricultural
waste are piled in layers and covered
with soil and plastic. The pile, which remains
untouched for about ten months, undergoes
slow decomposition under anaerobic conditions.
The decomposed material is applied to
the field prior to planting.