Home composting continues to gain ground in the Valencian Community. A total of 1.450 families from the five districts that make up the V5 Waste Consortium (COR) are already participating in a program that allows them to transform their organic waste into natural fertilizer. In return, they receive a €12 discount on their waste treatment fee, a measure that seeks to incentivize sustainable household waste management.
The initiative, which began some time ago, has added 180 new families during the first half of 2026. Of these, 65 are from Enguera, where there are already 170 active households. New members have also joined in Ontinyent following training sessions organized in recent months. The president of the COR (Organic Waste Management Consortium), Elio Cabanes, emphasizes that this growth reflects greater citizen involvement: “More and more residents understand that organic waste can be transformed into a useful resource.”
Bonuses and cost savings
The COR will allocate approximately €18.000 to subsidies for participating families. Each household that manages its own organic waste prevents it from reaching treatment plants, thus reducing management costs and emissions associated with transportation. Organic waste represents between 40% and 50% of household waste, so treating it at the source significantly reduces the volume of waste and, consequently, lowers the municipal bill.
COR's composting technician, Mikel Vela, explains that the process is simple: with a composter provided by the Consortium, households can transform fruit and vegetable scraps, pruning waste, and other organic matter into high-quality natural fertilizer. "With small changes in habits, families can reduce the amount of waste they generate and obtain compost for gardens and allotments," Vela points out.
Training and practical workshops
Before starting, participants attend a practical session where they learn what waste can be added to the composter, how to balance wet and dry matter, and what care is needed to obtain quality compost. According to Vela, these workshops are very well received because people realize that home composting is an accessible process that doesn't require extensive knowledge.
The program is part of COR's strategy to move towards a circular economy. By reducing the amount of waste transported to treatment plants and promoting the recovery of organic matter at the source, the carbon footprint is reduced and European recycling and prevention targets are met. Furthermore, individual effort is rewarded directly with a financial incentive, encouraging more families to participate.
With 1.450 households already participating and sustained growth, home composting is becoming established as an effective tool for responsible waste management. The combination of cost savings, environmental benefits, and practical training is leading more and more residents to see their organic waste as a valuable resource rather than a problem.
