Green Waste Valorization Center in Bizerte: A Model for Sustainable Waste Management
The green waste valorization center in Bizerte, operational since 2021, aims to be an innovative model for sustainable management of vegetable waste and environmental protection, thanks to the use of an aeration composting technique.
Composting Process
This process efficiently transforms vegetable residues into high-quality compost, intended for the maintenance of municipal green spaces. The compost produced will supply the municipal nursery, thus completing the local valorization cycle, highlights Naziha Jemili, head of the Green Waste Valorization Center in Bizerte.
Environmental Benefits
In addition to supplying the municipal nursery, composting green waste from urban parks plays a crucial role in environmental protection. According to Jemili, it allows for the valorization of nearly 2,000 tons of green waste per year, avoiding their transfer to the municipal landfill. This approach has a positive environmental impact, limiting greenhouse gas emissions and soil degradation, as well as significant reductions in waste transportation costs to the municipal landfill, located 10 km from the municipality of Bizerte.
Composting Phases
Regarding the compost production phases, Jemili indicated that the process takes between 5 and 6 months. Aeration composting, she explained, relies on the presence of oxygen. Green waste is mixed according to a well-determined carbon/nitrogen dosage, promoting the activity of microorganisms responsible for degradation. The aeration system, ensured by regular and controlled turning of the waste, maintains an optimal oxygen level and a temperature between 60 and 70°C, accelerating the transformation of organic matter into stable and nutrient-rich compost, while reducing unpleasant odors.
Project Benefits
This project not only transforms green waste into a quality organic amendment but also contributes to environmental protection and the sustainability of the city's green spaces. The initiative is based on strategic partnerships, including with the commune of Rust in Germany, the Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, and the National Waste Management Agency, thereby strengthening the project's technical and scientific expertise.
Replication and Impact
The successful experience of the Bizerte center has been replicated in other municipalities, including Gafsa and Mahdia, demonstrating the effectiveness and feasibility of this aeration composting model for sustainable green waste management. This initiative is fully in line with the municipal strategy for promoting a circular economy, recycling organic waste, and protecting the environment, and thus constitutes a concrete example of a successful transition to ecologically responsible practices at the local level.
