Full commitment to compost: How Alzey-Worms is investing in the future of organic waste

Full commitment to compost: How Alzey-Worms is investing in the future of organic waste

In the fermentation plant (VGA) in Framersheim, in the Alzey-Worms district, operations run around the clock. Here, valuable organic waste is converted into sustainable energy and high-quality compost every day. The dedicated team consists of six employees, an environmental technologist trainee and a operations manager, all of whom have technical professions such as electricians or car mechanics. Challenges that arise, such as high temperatures and physical strain, are part of everyday work. Daily tours to check the machines and take measured values ​​are a matter of course to ensure smooth production. Alzey-Worms district reports that the VGA has been active since January 2000 and processes organic waste and green waste to generate fertilizer and energy.

Collection vehicles deliver the organic waste to the facility every day from 10:30 a.m. After delivery, the waste is shredded and unwanted materials such as plastic films and textiles are separated. Metals are removed using magnets. Another important step in the process is the fermentation of the organic waste in closed containers at temperatures between 51 and 55 degrees Celsius for three weeks. This kills germs, viruses, bacteria and germinable plant seeds, ensuring the compost is of the highest quality.

Sustainable processes for using recyclable materials

In Germany, organic waste is primarily treated in composting and fermentation plants such as in Framersheim. But not all processes achieve the same quality. According to that Federal Environment Agency As part of a research project, it was investigated which processes can be used for the high-quality recycling of organic waste. While classic methods such as composting are still considered the best option, there are also new approaches that could be promising, including hydrothermal carbonization and breeding soldier flies to produce protein food.

A legal requirement for the separate collection of organic waste has existed since 2015, and these processes are increasingly becoming established in many municipalities, even if not all municipalities have established comprehensive organic waste collections. Separate collection promotes recycling into biogas or compost, which not only has ecological benefits but also has a positive impact on waste management as a whole. Veolia However, points out that the use of “biodegradable” plastics in organic waste bins can be problematic as their degradation in composting processes is not guaranteed and can affect the quality of the compost.

Valuable compost for the region

The compost produced in the VGA is distributed to members of the Alzey organic compost association, including winemakers and farmers who rely on high-quality fertilizer. In order to guarantee the quality of the compost produced, its properties are checked regularly. Samples of the organic compost are examined six times a year and care is taken to ensure that no contaminants such as plastic parts or glass end up in the organic waste - this increases costs and is not beneficial for the entire waste management process.

In addition to operational processes, environmental education is given great importance. The VGA regularly welcomes groups from schools and kindergartens to educate about the importance of proper waste separation and how to deal with organic waste. These visits promote knowledge about sustainable disposal and composting - an important step towards greater environmental awareness in the region.