Tons of Compost/Fertilizer Produced at Stung Meanchey Dump Site

By BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA

Every month at least 20 tons of compost and fertilizer are produced at Stung Meanchey dump site by the Cambodian Education and Waste Management Organization (COMPED), a local non-governmental organization established in 2000. The composting of biodegradable waste makes ideal fertilizer for sale to farmers across the country, according to COMPED officers.

Sam Phalla, manager of COMPED’s composting project, said that since the establishment of the composting project at Stung Meanchey Dump Site in 2000, about 2,000 tons of compost and fertilizer had been produced by COMPED from the wastes. According to Phalla, the market for this material is nationwide.

Phalla said the main purpose of COMPEDs Composting Project was to demonstrate the importance of the process of separation and the cycles that turn rubbish is turned into a saleable commodity. He underlined the benefits created in terms of reducing the volume of material thrown into landfill sites.

Furthermore, he said another objective of the project was to promote and encourage Cambodian farmers to use composted fertilizers in preference to chemical fertilizers for growing all kinds of plants. The use of natural fertilizers helps the soil retain its richness and helps prevent fertilizer run off and the resulting nitrate imbalance in the nation’s rivers and streams. All these considerations are vital if the nation is to retain her natural beauty and biodiversity.

He added that currently, COMPED is running in a 2,000 square meter composting plant at Stung Meanchey dump site, supported by Germany, the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Protection and Environment of the Free State of Thuringia, as well as related Phnom Penh Authorities.

He said, “Now, I can say that due to our small composting project, we can convert only one percent of the daily volume of rubbish thrown into the dump. I think that if we can manage the wastes from all the markets, as well as the stuff thrown into this site, it can help the Cambodian government reduce the import of chemical fertilizers and prevent environmental degradation in Cambodia.”

The Manager told the Cambodia Weekly that according to his estimates, every day about 65 tons of biodegradable waste are thrown into Stung Meanchey dump site.

Regarding COMPED’s production capacity, Phalla said that currently, his organization has produces from 6 to 12 tones of the material per day, far from sufficient to cater to the demands of the nation’s farmers. He said those farmers who bought compost at COMPED’s office at Stung Meanchey dump site came from the provinces throughout Cambodia including Kampong Speu, Kandal, Takeo, Svay Rieng, Kampong Chhnang, Koh Kong and Battambang. According to Sam Phalla, one kilogram of compost fetches 300 riel.

Var Sarom, 53, a farmer from Takeo province, said that every rainy season, he often came to Phnom Penh to buy compost at COMPED’s office. He said it was a vital component for his rice plantation.

Sarom said, “I usually buy about 200 kg of compost from the organization every year, during the rainy season. I decided to use the compost rather than chemical fertilizers because it's much more reasonably priced and is kinder to the soil. This is an important consideration if my operations are to be sustained.”


Sao Da, 55, another farmer from Svay Rieng province, said that he also buys COMPED’s products to make his seedlings grow and to improve the quality of his Svey Rieng earth.

Da said that he bought at least 300 kg of fertilizer from COMPED to grow vegetables and plants during the rainy season.

He said, “I buy these products from COMPED because they are cheap, which suits me and my family just fine.”

He said that since 1999, he bought chemical fertilizers. However, he added that he became converted to the biodegradable solution after several years of using chemical fertilizers. He noted that the soil quality had been affected, becoming as solid and conducive to horticulture as concrete. With natural fertilizers, the soil returned to its natural state, providing a soft, crumbly seedbed for shoots to thrive in.

Mann Chhoeun, deputy governor of the Phnom Penh Municipality, said that COMPED’s composting project helped the Phnom Penh Authorities promote health care management services, made the task of waste management easier and prevented environmental degradation.

The Deputy Governor said that according to reports, there are more than 1,000 tons of un-sifted trash collected and thrown into Stung Meanchey dump site per day. He said that the site was rapidly reaching capacity and that the Phnom Penh Municipality planned to move the dump site from Stung Meanchey, relocating it on 30-hectares of land in Khan Dangkor, in Phnom Penh. The move is expected to occur early 2009.

He also said that according to new policies, Phnom Penh’s Municipality will reserve over one hectare of the composting project.

Chau Kimheng, director of COMPED, said that Stung Meanchey dump site’s Composting Project will be closed when the move to the new location takes place next year. However, Kimheng said that his organization would continue its project on the new site which has a larger composting plant.

The Director said, “We are ready to cooperate with Phnom Penh Authorities to continue the composting project at the new dumping site in Khan Dangkor. We hope that with its new and larger composting facilities, we will be able to produce more fertilizer for our nation’s farmers.”

He also said that in order to promote the product, his organization conducts training workshops on composting and environmental awareness to an audience of interested local farmers, government’s authorities, NGO’s staff and other stakeholders in targeted provinces throughout Cambodia.