INTRODUCING THE COMPOSTING PRACTICE IN RURAL HOUSEHOLDS // Pilot project for a clean environment and sustainable development

Household waste is a precious source of organic waste which can be used to prepare garden compost. In Moldova, the average person generates up to 716,5 kg of waste per year, of which 528,75 kg is biodegradable waste. However, most of this organic waste goes to landfills or is being burned and pollutes the environment. Biodegradable waste mixed with inorganic waste make a toxic mass, polluting the air, soil and water resources.   

The Ecological Center and Training Assistance seeks to contribute to solving this problem and currently implements a pilot project aiming to teach local institutions and households in the villages of Carpineni and Horjesti, Hancesti District, to make use of biodegradable waste and prepare their own compost. The project is funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) in the Republic of Moldova, in partnership with Carpineni Mayoralty.   

An awareness campaign will be conducted in Carpineni to promote the benefits of biodegradable waste composting. The project team in partnership with the mayoralty will select over 600 people, public officers and local councilors, entrepreneurs, students and professors, members of local families, who will participate in a practical composting course. Following this training 300 families will receive composting bins, while 10 institutions will be provided with performant composters, in order to select and make use of biodegradable waste.         

Some of the benefits of composting  

Composting reduces significantly the quantity of waste generated by households, which is quite frequently dumped in unauthorized places.     

The compost which is applied in gardens or in flowerpots increases organic matter in soil, helps plants absorb nutrients and provides some extra nutrients.

It also makes clay soils more airy and helps sandy soils retain water.    

Composting at home would reduce the consumption of the following resources:

Water. Compost keeps water from evaporating, so if you apply enough, it will reduce the quantity of water used for irrigation. Applying a thick layer of compost on top of the soil will prevent water evaporation.

Energy and fuel. Most of the organic waste contains a large amount of water, which makes it one of the heaviest types of waste. Home composting significantly reduces the weight of household rubbish and its transport costs. Transporting less waste would save fuel and energy.

Money. Reducing the amount of garbage to be taken out could lower your garbage bill. Also, by preparing your own compost you won't need to buy such product from gardening shops!

Compost contains macro and micronutrients which synthetic fertilizers often don't contain. The compost can reduce or even eliminate the use of chemical pesticides because it also contains beneficial microorganisms that can protect plants from diseases and pests.

For more information:

Maria Bâlici, Project Assistant, phone: +373 0790 40 801; E-mail: ceai.office@gmail.com