Current Status and future of Vermicomposting Industry in Korea

지렁이 퇴비화 운영사례 및 개선방향

Present vermicomposting technology needs the broad land. Because of the high land cost, the land saving technology such as multistage must be needed. And present operation practices are mostly based on human power, mechanization and automation is needed. Also, present control practices based on individual experience need the scientific base control system. Even though the rough estimation of organic waste treatment showed that vermicompostiong could obtain more benefits than costs. But, the estimation is based on an ideal case without considering the technical and market. Generally, vermicomposting is considered as the more expensive technology than composting. Therefore, the practical proof the economic factor would be the most important to the market increase. Vermicomposting as the recycling technology has better condition than incineration and landfill. Propagation and advocating focused on its environmentally sound aspects would be needed continuously. Especially, demonstration and distribution of household vermicomposting would be a good approach. Vermicomposting facilities area was becoming larger, and earthworm feeding materials were also expanding to various organic sludges. These trends showed that vermicomposting is being enlightened to treat and recycle the organic wastes.

2003년과 2005년 각각 하수슬러지 및 음식물쓰레기 직매립이 금지되는 시기에 지렁이를 이용한 유기성폐기물처리기술은 환경 친화적 처리방법으로 유기성폐기물 처리비용적 측면에서도 매우 저렴한 처리방법으로 이용되고 있는 기술이다. 그러나 지렁이 이용기술은 도입초기의 이용기술이 현재에도 적용되고 있으며, 체계적인 연구 및 정책적인 지원의 부족 등으로 지렁이 퇴비화 산업의 발전에 많은 영향을 미치고 있다. 따라서 향후 지렁이 이용기술의 보급과 아울러 지렁이 퇴비화 산업의 발전을 위하여 기술적인 문제점인 과대한 사육부지이용 및 처리공정의 자동화 연구가 필요할 것으로 판단된다. 또한 지렁이 이용기술의 체계적인 연구와 국가적 차원의 정책적인 지원방안이 필요하다.