A study of the biological treatment of biodegradable waste from mixed municipal solid waste and the use of compost-like outputs in Ireland

Abstract

Ireland is seeking to eliminate the landfilling of municipal waste, and to achieve maximum recovery of resources from waste, including from mixed municipal solid waste. This dissertation tries to investigate how biodegradable waste from mixed municipal solid waste is biologically treated to produce compost-like outputs in Ireland. The dissertation examines the quantity and quality of compost-like outputs produced in Ireland and what they are used for. The amount of compost-like outputs produced in 2011 was slightly below 20 000 tonnes, indicating that the treatment of biodegradable waste from mixed municipal solid waste is still low in Ireland. The study revealed that compost-like outputs cannot be used as a resource in Ireland. Waste regulations in Ireland do not permit compost-like outputs to be used for any other purpose other than disposal by landfill. The results of the analysis of compost-like outputs produced in Ireland indicate that their quality would meet the quality requirements of the United Kingdom standard for the end-use of compost-like outputs for land restoration. The analytical results show that compost-like outputs are a source of plant nutrients and organic matter. The results also show that compost-like outputs are a source of harmful substances that can cause a risk to the environment and human health.