UNAM Converts Campus Waste into Profitable Compost

Due to its exceptional quality, the compost produced at the UNAM's Cuautitlán Higher Education Faculty (FES), from organic waste generated on its three campuses, has achieved acceptance and demand in the market to supply local farmers and the public with organic fertilizers at affordable prices.

Despite the challenges in waste management, the Secretary of Graduate Studies and Research, Susana Mendoza Elvira; the graduate of the postgraduate program in "Animal Production and Health Sciences", Alejandro Vargas Sánchez, lead the initiative.

In an interview, Mendoza Elvira said that this pilot project arose from the concern to take advantage of the organic waste generated: fecal matter from animals at the Agricultural Education Center and pruning remains from gardens, usually considered garbage, since under an appropriate treatment approach they become valuable resources.

In addition, it seeks to promote a culture of responsible use and apply the principles of the circular economy within the institution.

So far, they have sold five tons: three of rustic, with the help of César Garzón Pérez, a professor at the Faculty, and two of artisanal, with people who have vegetable and flower plantations.

For this reason, they are working on registering the seal that the bags of the product will carry, which allows extraordinary income for the first multidisciplinary.

Another benefit is that it enriches the interdisciplinary experience, since students of Food Engineering, Engineering, master's and doctoral students have participated, demonstrating the potential to address complex situations through innovative and collaborative approaches.

Closing a life cycle

Composting is an ancient technique that offers an effective and sustainable solution to manage today's organic waste (food scraps, garden waste, feces, even organisms in the process of decomposition), combining a balanced proportion of green elements rich in nitrogen and brown elements rich in carbon.

Since 2010, Alejandro Vargas has led pioneering lines of research in the composting process. His focus is on the degradation of organic matter to produce high-quality compost, which is crucial for the maintenance and strengthening of land. These efforts address waste management and promote sustainable practices for agriculture and the environment.

In an interview, he explained that this process is currently carried out at the Faculty's Technological Assimilation Center, where they select the materials that are then arranged in alternating layers in a specific area, such as a composter or pile, where the activating microorganisms that will accelerate decomposition come into play.

“Proper aeration and humidity are crucial to successful composting,” as periodically turning the pile oxygenates the microorganisms, while maintaining constant humidity simulates a sponge and creates an optimal environment for decomposition, he added.

The protagonists of this method are microorganisms: bacteria and fungi, which break down organic materials into simpler compounds. This metabolic activity generates heat, thereby raising the internal temperature of the pile and accelerating decomposition. Over time, the materials are transformed into mature compost, with a dark appearance, earthy aroma and texture similar to soil.

The final compost product is a valuable resource that enriches the soil of gardens, orchards and green areas, carries essential nutrients, improves soil structure, increases its capacity to retain water and promotes healthy plant growth.

“Composting closes the life cycle of organic materials, reduces waste and contributes significantly to the health of the environment. It is a practice that connects us with the earth and shows us the power of nature to regenerate itself," said the expert.

Urgent and coordinated action

Solid waste management represents an unavoidable challenge in Mexico. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), in 2022, an average of 145,160 tons of garbage were generated every day and, alarmingly, 8 percent of municipalities lack a formal waste collection service, a deficit that leads to inadequate disposal practices, which is why open-air dumps are the predominant option.

This scenario poses, in addition to environmental and public health risks, significant socioeconomic challenges, so addressing this problem requires urgent and coordinated action that ranges from effective public policies to community awareness and participation.

In particular, it is important to note that the accumulation of organic waste affects the aesthetics of the environment and triggers a series of environmental and health impacts:

The decomposition of organic matter in landfills emits gases such as methane and carbon dioxide, which intensifies the greenhouse effect and air pollution; The released leachates can contaminate nearby drinking water sources, putting public health at risk; the presence of pests, such as flies and rodents, amplifies the concern, along with unpleasant odors; in addition, biodiversity is threatened by the alteration of habitats and the contamination of soils and bodies of the vital liquid.

In the future, academics aim to explore composting of animal carcasses as a high-impact opportunity; however, they are aware that this challenge requires research and the development of controlled decomposition, because health safety and the proper management of odors and leachates are critical aspects that must be optimally addressed.

It is important to note that this initiative, in addition to seeking the generation of additional income, demonstrates the benefits of this sustainable practice, since the resulting compost, of high quality and full of nutrients, is an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers, thus promoting soil health and the growth of vigorous plants.