How does the composting process work?
Food and green waste is shredded and mixed to achieve the right chemical composition.
Microbial inoculants and palm mulch are added.
The mix is positioned in the first bioreactor equipped with forced-aeration system designed by Edama. Moisture levels, temperature, electrical conductivity and pH are carefully controlled by Edama’s monitoring system.
At this stage, it is important to maintain optimal conditions to ensure high-quality, fast cycle times. For example, temperature between 55 and 65 celsius is maintained for 4 days to ensure the destruction of pathogens and weed seeds.
After 2-3 weeks, the material is transferred to a secondary bioreactor with no aeration to mature.
The material is kept in curing for 3-4 weeks and screened to remove large particles.
Samples of final product are tested using Edama Quality Assurance Scheme.
Compost is stable and ready for market in 45 days.
What goes into the organic waste bin?
Green waste from gardening and landscaping activities such as grass, leaves, plants, branches, tree trunks and tree stumps
Farm waste including palm waste
Food waste from the food processing industries such as potato peels or sludge
Food waste from households, restaurants, supermarkets such as vegetable and fruit scraps and leftovers including meat and fish
Cardboard, paper, compostable packaging
Why garbage Smells and compost doesn’t?
The difference between a pile of good compost and a pile of putrid garbage stands in the composting process. Composting is a natural biological process, carried out under controlled aerobic conditions. In this process, various microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, break down organic matter into simpler substances. A composting process that operates at optimum performance will convert organic matter into stable compost that is odor and pathogen free, and a poor breeding substrate for flies and other insects. The essential elements required for the effectiveness of the composting process are carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and moisture. Using a network of sensors and developed in KAUST labs and up to date composting technologies, Edama continuously measures this factors and keeps them under control conditions.
How does compost regenerate soil?
Finished compost can be classified as a 100% organic fertilizer containing primary nutrients as well as trace minerals, humus and humic acids, in a slow release form. High quality compost can be used in agriculture, horticulture, landscaping and home gardening. Compost improves soil porosity, drainage and aeration and moisture holding capacity and reduces compaction. Compost can retain up to ten times its weight in water. In addition, compost helps buffer soils against extreme chemical imbalances; aids in unlocking soil minerals; releases nutrients over a wide time window; acts as a buffer against the absorption of chemicals and heavy metals; promotes the development of healthy root zones; suppresses diseases associated with certain fungi; and helps plants tolerate drought conditions.
How does composting act against climate change?
Compost is particularly useful for quickly rebuilding soil organic matter, which alongside other benefits, can allow soil to sequester more carbon and help flip agriculture from being a cause of climate change to being part of the solution. Just half an inch of compost spread out over 50% of California’s rangeland (equivalent to half of the total land area of the UK) would offset all the annual greenhouse gas emissions of California’s commercial and residential energy sectors.
Which compost method does edama use?
Composting can be achieved using different approaches which vary in terms of capital costs, cycle times, suitability to challenging feedstocks and quality of the final product. Based on our experience in Saudi Arabia, we tend to suggest Turned Aerated Piles (TAP), ideal for small scale, cost-effective pilot composting systems. We are of course able to explore alternative systems as requested during the conceptual design phase.
In TAP systems, prepared organic waste materials are mixed according to a specific compost recipe and then deposited in piles (either as free-standing windrows or in enclosed bays). The piles sit over aeration systems that force and/or draw air through the composting materials to control temperature levels and ensure correct oxygen levels. The pile is then regularly turned to break up and homogenise materials, re-establishing porosity. This ensures composting efficiency and throughput, reduces cycle times and facility footprint and ensures consistent and high-quality finished compost. Odor is controlled though biofilters, enclosed bays and negative aeration. After approximately 2-3 weeks of active aeration (the active phase), composting materials are transferred to a non-aerated curing area for approximately 4-5 weeks (the curing phase) during which composting materials mature and stabilise into a finished compost product.