Case study: M.T. PAKSO Compost Machine
- Tertiary/Higher Education
- Outdoor
- Campaign / event, Demonstration site / trail, Hands-on activity
- Turkey
M.T. PAKSO Compost Machine
In 2017, Türkiye launched the “Zero Waste” project to raise awareness about environmental issues and manage waste in line with sustainable development goals. The project aims to recycle 60% of all recyclable waste by 2035. Consequently, there has been a notable increase in zero waste practices at individual, institutional, and municipal levels in Türkiye.
The Ministry of National Education is a leading institution in promoting these zero waste practices, aiming to create a cleaner and greener future. Under the slogan “Come on, join the #ZeroWaste movement!”, the Ministry has initiated a campaign that spans all educational institutions across Türkiye. Vocational and Technical Anatolian High Schools have actively participated in this campaign by producing compost machines. One such school, Selçuklu Mehmet Tuza Pakpen Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in Konya, has designed and produced a composting machine powered by solar energy.
Objective
The objective of the M.T. PAKSO Compost Machine project is to design a composting machine that converts kitchen and garden waste into rich and efficient compost using solar energy, a clean and renewable energy source.
Specific objectives include:
– Promoting a greener, cleaner world by preventing waste, using resources efficiently, reducing waste, and converting waste into useful products.
– Raising environmental awareness about the transformation of organic wastes.
– Reducing the use of artificial fertilisers by increasing compost use in agriculture.
– Improving soil health and enhancing the quality and efficiency of agricultural production through increased compost use.
– Utilising clean energy in the process of converting organic wastes.
Approach
The M.T. PAKSO Compost Machine was developed through the collaborative efforts of three departments at Selçuklu Mehmet Tuza Pakpen Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School:
- Machine Technologies Department: Design and Assembly Process
- Metal Technologies Department: Body, Skeleton, Metal Material Manufacturing
- Industrial Automation Department: Electronics, Electricity, and Software
A total of 12 teachers and 24 students were involved in this project. The machine transforms vegetable and animal wastes into organic fertiliser under optimal conditions of pH, CO2, O2, and relative humidity. Its corrosion-resistant body and special coating allow it to process organic waste at various scales with a continuous flow system. The closed structure prevents leachate formation and protects the machine from adverse environmental conditions. Additionally, energy is conserved through outer surface insulation, and fermentation time is minimised with optimal conditioning. The machine’s automatic rotating arms reduce human intervention, simplifying its operation.
The M.T. PAKSO Compost Machine, which becomes operational within 40 days of production, is powered by solar energy. It can operate for an average of 48 hours on solar charge alone and continues to function without grid connection when exposed to sunlight. This system transforms waste into valuable soil using clean energy.
The organic fertiliser produced by the M.T. PAKSO Compost Machine will enhance soil structure, create an airy top layer, and support a healthy environment for soil organisms, facilitating soil aeration. This will improve potassium uptake by plant roots, provide nutrients as needed, neutralise soil toxins, and maintain a flexible pH range suitable for plant growth
Link for further information
(The website of the Ministry of National Education-News)