Does composting cause odours or attract rodents?
Any waste management facility, including a composting site, has the potential to generate offensive odours or to attract pests. However, experience at hundreds of composting facilities has shown that proper design and operational procedures can prevent or control these problems. Excessive or offensive odours are generally a sign that the composting process is not proceeding properly, usually because of inadequate aeration or excessive moisture. Close monitoring of these factors can usually help to minimize odours. Facilities can employ abatement systems, such as biofilters, to treat occasional odours. Preventing odours and ensuring that the site is kept clean will ensure that the site does not attract rodents or other pests.
The Wasteology system does not attract rodents or birds as the waste is received and pre-processed in a building and then composted for approximately two weeks in fully enclosed clamps. It should be noted that under the ABPR, rodents and birds must be excluded from the waste and site. The SVS and Trading Standard Officers regularly inspect sites to ensure this occurs. Any waste management facility, including a composting site, has the potential to generate offensive odours usually due to the feedstock or inadequate aeration or excessive moisture. Close monitoring of these factors can usually help to minimize odours. Facilities can employ abatement systems, such as bio-filters, to treat occasional odours. Trials have been carried out where the oxygen levels have been monitored within the clamps in at least three different points around the clamp, all at the waste surface. This was carried out in both barriers and averaged 16 %, more than sufficient for the biological process. This resul
