Implementación de un prototipo de vermicultura para la gestión sostenible de residuos orgánicos en el casco antiguo de Floridablanca

Abstract

Mismanaged organic waste poses a serious threat to the environment worldwide. This has led to a global effort to strike a balance between the rapid generation of such waste and environmental protection. Nevertheless, some factors (e.g., substrate composition characteristics before and after treatment) require specific additional studies for researchers to better understand the metabolism involved in the process. The objective of this is to propose a sustainable solution to address the current issue that has arisen in recent years in Bucaramanga and its metropolitan area. This is related to the improper separation and disposal of organic waste, which has led to an overload at the (Carrasco) landfill. It leads to the temporary closure of collection routes, waste accumulation in urban and rural areas, unpleasant odors, landscape degradation, and vector proliferation. With the purpose of reduce the amount of waste sent to the final disposal, vermiculture is suggested as a sustainable solution. This technique harnesses a significant portion of organic waste and transforms it into high-quality compost known as vermicompost (worm humus). The importance of this solution lies in its natural execution, without the use of environmentally harmful chemicals. Vermicomposting offers various advantages, including employment opportunities, environmental protection, increased crop productivity as a supplementary fertilizer, and a contribution to ecological balance. In this regard, vermicomposting plays a pivotal role in the circular economy.