Co-compostaje de la cascarilla de café con estiércol de ganado proveniente de la parroquia Alamor, Loja

Abstract

In Alamor civil parish, Puyango canton, 71.66% of solid waste is organic, 67.4% is not used as a resource, and disposed of in an open dump without adequate treatment. It reflects the lack of an integrated waste management plan and environmental education among the population. Composting emerges as a sustainable solution by reducing pollution, optimizing landfill space, and providing agricultural benefits by reducing chemical fertilizers. Therefore, this research aimed to elaborate on organic waste compost, specifically coffee husks, combined with manure, using co-composting piles. The methodology had a qualitative and quantitative approach based on an experimental design and the evaluation of raw materials combinations: Pile 1 (50:50, 150 kg coffee + 150 kg manure), Pile 2 (70:30, 210 kg coffee + 90 kg manure) and Pile 3 (80:20, 240 kg coffee + 60 kg manure). Throughout the process, temperature, humidity, and pH were measured, along with additional parameters such as organic matter, electrical conductivity, macro and micronutrients, heavy metals, and the C/N ratio. The results showed that the final C/N ratio was 17:1 in Pile 1, 15:1 in Pile 2, and 20:1 in Pile 3, with Pile 3 having a higher C/N ratio and, consequently, better quality and complying with NCh-2880 and NADF-020 regulations. The temperature was maintained between 30-70 °C, the pH reached optimum values between 6.5 and 8.5, and the humidity oscillated between 50-80%. The compost quality is classified A, B, and C, making it suitable for agricultural use and green areas. In conclusion, co-composting is a viable alternative for transforming organic waste into useful and sustainable materials.