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Convenios, Congresos, Investigación  

The Deputación has signed several agreements with institutions, bodies and groups with the objective of promoting composting among citizens and develop new research lines about composting.

Agreement with the environmental research centre Centro de Extensión Universitaria e Divulgación Ambiental de Galicia (CEIDA). This agreement, signed in March 2016, aims to launch the educational programme "A xestión dos residuos na provincial de Pontevedra" (waste management in the province of Pontevedra), aimed at primary and secondary school students and their teachers. The programme aims at organising seminars, talks, travelling exhibitions, information and blogs and organising a school congress. Schools might install their own composters.

Agreement between the University of Vigo and the City Council of Pontevedra. It was signed in October 2016 and has allowed for carrying out joint research to regenerate the soils in A Canicouva Hill using compost obtained at the new composting centre that will be set up in communal lands of the village of the same name, in the municipality of Pontevedra. Professors and doctors from the University of Vigo will focus on improving lower quality compost (biostabilised material) and finding ways to make an adequate use of it for forestry purposes. The goal is to turn an a priori non-usable residue into a valuable resource.

Agreements with Amigos da Terra and Adega. The Deputación and the environmental associations collaborate to train individual composter users from the municipalities that are using composting as their waste management system. These associations also monitor home composters for a year.

Collaboration agreement between the Deputación de Pontevedra, the Town Council of Pontevedra and the Galician agrarian trade union Federación Rural Galega (FRUGA). The objective of this agreement is to implement and control individual composting at a municipal level.

Preguntas Frecuentes  

Does composting cause bad smells?

The composting process emits a characteristic and pleasant smell reminiscent of a humid forest. The materials must be well mixed so that everything goes well inside the composter.

Can composting attract pests?

If composting is done correctly, it will not attract unwanted pests. When some fruit flies or ants appear, it is an indication that it is necessary to add dry materials or that the materials have not been properly mixed. The mesh bottom prevents rodents from entering the composter.

Do I have to water the composter?

Depends on the weather and the season. Organic waste normally provides enough moisture.

Is there an optimal proportion when depositing waste in the composter?

It is important to mix equal parts of humid and dry materials, although this may vary depending of the organic elements used.

Is the obtained compost suitable for all types of plants?

Since it is a 100 % natural product, it can be used with any plant. You should not exceed the recommended amount (20 % of compost mixed in with soil in a pot and between 0.5 and 4 kg per m2 in a vegetable garden).

What happens if no organic matter is added to the composter in a while?

Composters can be left unattended for some time and nothing will happen, but some problems might arise: bad smells and fruit flies might appear and the materials might be dry and cold. Mixing and adding dry materials will solve the first two problems. For the latter, mix and add humid material.

¿Can I add soil or peat moss to the composter?

No. Individual composting produces high-quality compost which will only be mixed in with the soil later on, when it is used for sowing or fertilizing.

Can I use grass as a dry material?

Yes, grass can be used as a dry material as long as it has been dried and turned into hay. However, if it has been recently mowed, it is considered a humid material.


PXUGA (Galician industrial waste management plan):

Galician law on waste:

Law 22/2011, on waste and polluted soils:

PEMAR (national waste management framework plan):

Spanish national plan for waste prevention:

Directive 2008/98/CE, on waste:

EU Circular Economy Package:

Ordenanza reguladora del compostaje local para los biorresiduos municipales del Plan Revitaliza

Acuerdo del Pleno de la aprobación inicial de la Ordenanza reguladora

Publicación en el BOPPO de la aprobación inicial de la modificación de la Ordenanza reguladora