Study of Agronomic and Environmental Profile of Compost and Fine Fraction Produced and Stored in a Shed at Composting Site: ENPRO Composting Site, Lomé, Togo

Composting is one of the safest ways to recycle household solid waste. This study aims at evaluating the quality of the agronomic profile of the compost and fine fraction collected on the composting platform of the NGO ENPRO in July 2014. The quality of the finished product was sought by the analysis of the agronomic and environmental profile. The results of the analyzes of the agronomic and environmental profile of compost and the fine fraction produced and stored for several months in a shed at the ENPRO composting site in Lomé, Togo show that the long lasting storage of compost on the platform (stored at least 3 months under the shed) induces a significant change in the agronomic profile: significant loss of nitrogen and significant mineralization of organic matter. The analysis of the environmental profile of the 2 compost samples and the fine fraction yielded contents of low levels of trace metal elements, very below the limit values of the French standard U44051. As a result, the compost obtained is a stable product, hygienic, rich in nutrients and organic matter. This organic matter content will allow the retention of trace metal elements. The higher this concentration, the more metals will be trapped thus decreasing their bioavailability. The risk would therefore be low in terms of phytotoxicity after soil amendment. This compost can stabilize or immobilize the solid phase metals. This compost will pave the way for agronomic promotion