Vermiculture as an alternative for recycling and improvement of soil in the

1. Vermiculture as an alternative for recycling and improvement of soil in the San Salvador Community Taryn Cruz, Carlos Cruz, GloriannDíaz, Geoexplorers, School of Science and Technology 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 vermicompost. 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. Description of Sampling Characteristic Humus Maps: San Salvador Community Maps: El Yunque Results and Discussion Sampling of Yunque and San Salvador Survey 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 vermiculture 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 vermiculture, we can help reduce the amount of 3.15 lbs. garbage per person currently being generated on the Island. The seeds planted the first day: June 20, 2008 Carlos made the survey in 25 houses in San Salvador Community The plants four days after planted Campaign Recycling The plants in their last stage, these last ones were planted with humus and he results were known twelve days after planted Humus of Worm compost Reference Mulet 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) Materials and Methods Survey, Campaign recycling, Red earth Worm, Plastic container, Newspaper, Dirt ,Fruit and vegetable skins, Organic waste Acknowledgements San Salvador community Ismael Gonzales Awilda Perez NOAA