Abstract: The management of solid waste in Puerto Rico as in the community of San Salvador is a major problem. That is why in our project we propose lombricultura as a viable alternative for the recycling of organic materials (paper, fruits). It provides benefits such as recycling organic waste, witch prolongs the life of landfills, we believe that with the lombricultura, we can help reduce the amount of 3.15 lbs. garbage per person currently being generated on the Island.

Worm compost, as an alternative recycling and improvement of soil in the community of San Salvador

Introduction Puerto Rico (PR) has experienced rapid growth and economic development in the past decades. This has led to an increase in solid waste generation which eventually is deposited in Municipal solid waste disposal landfills (MSWDL). MSWDL are currently the predominant solid waste disposal practice in PR and an a issue today. The Solid Waste Authority provides in its recycling program as a good alternative to partially alleviate the problem of solid waste generation and among the types or forms of recycling is the lombricompost.

Problem: Understanding that recycling is an alternative to help diminish the problem that solid wastes generate in Puerto Rico including the community of San Salvador who has a great field extension that can be used for the “horticultura” This offers great benefits that contribute to the solution to this problem.

Background

Worm Compost:The worm compost is a biotechnology that uses worm to recycle the organic matter and newspaper, obtaining humus.

Benefits:The roots are better in soil rich in humus that one poor in this substances. It retains water and nutrients in the soil improving the soil structure by providing aeration. It reduces the amount of solid waste that are deposited in Landfills

Hypothesis The soil of San Salvador will responding a positive way to the addition of worm compost and will also be an effective way in increasing the recycling rate.

Taryn Cruz, Carlos Cruz, Gloriann Díaz, Geoexplorer, School of Science and Technology

Maps: San Salvador community

Maps: San Salvador community

Materials and MethodsSurvey, Campaign recycling, Red earth Worm, Plastic container, Newspaper, Dirt ,Fruit and vegetable skins, Organic waste

Description of Sampling

Carlos made the survey in 25 houses in San Salvador

Community

Campaign Recycling

Survey

Humus of Worm compost

Characteristic HumusConductivity 975usTemperature 23.5 CpH 5N MediumP Mediumk Medium

Sampling of Yunque and San SalvadorResults and Discussion

68%

28%

0 5 10 15 20

House s

Y es

No

Inte

rest

Interes ted in R ec ic ling

Characteristic Humus

The seeds planted the first day: June 20, 2008

The plants four days after planted

The plants in their last stage, these last ones were planted with humus and he results were known twelve days after planted

ReferenceMulet del Pozo, Y, ( 2005 )Determinación de algunas propiedades físico-mecánicas, químicas y biológicas del humus de lombriz en condiciones de la vaquería de la finca Guayabal, San José de las Lajas, La Habana, Cuba. Centro Azúcar 48, (200-203) Marcheco, E. (2005) Finca agroecológica sostenible de la Universidad de Granma. Revista Centro Agrícola. 32 (65-67)

AcknowledgementsSan Salvador communityIsmael GonzalesAwilda PerezNOOA