There are a series of benefits pointed out by paqueros (name as the executors of the bale call themselves) and researchers:

As in any socio-ecological link there are conflicts, tensions and controversies. In some farming communities, not all neighbors agree with this practice. These tensions are often generated, among other reasons, by the different imaginaries of the use of public space, by the lack of care, attention or maintenance after the Digester Bale is created, and even because some people leave their waste near the bales, generating bad odors and flies.[5]​.

In general, there is a challenge to promote processes of social appropriation with neighbors who see bales in public space. Many people tend to oppose the installation of digester bales for fear of the proliferation of bad odors and the presence of flies and rodents. Also, some neighbors defend the aesthetics and beauty that parks should preserve as places of contemplation and rest.[15]​.

This technique was developed and promoted by forestry technologist Guillermo Silva Pérez, a graduate of the National University of Colombia.[11]​ Silva has socialized and empirically understood this process, allowing society to be given an alternative to take responsibility for organic waste, generating at the same time the construction of healthy and sustainable environments.[14]​ His search began in 1977, when he worked in a tree nursery and saw how the manipulation of a pile of organic waste raised rot vapor and called flies, thus began his search to dignify the work of organic recyclers and find a clean alternative.[10]​ In addition, he was interested in managing the organic waste generated despite having limited space for its disposal, for this he was inspired by the shape of bales of straw or hay.[8]​ To avoid bad smells, Silva recognized the ecology of forest soils.[9]​ The first bale was made in the year 1989, and the collaboration with the Conquistadores school, in the city of Medellín, in 2008 stands out as the first significant project.[10]​.

This technology has gained popularity and social acceptance, mainly in Colombia where it has been developed, and has begun to expand in other countries.[4]​ among others, there are records of digester bales in Mexico,[11]​ Spain, Argentina and Uruguay.[10]​ It has had great acceptance and dissemination in Bogotá, generating a movement that promotes the benefits of its use. This began in March 2019 with Silva's visit/workshop in 4 places in the city, which had community processes involved in the care of the territory and the healthy management of its waste. This inspired the mobilization and expansion of this technique supported by the Paquerxs Bogotá Support Network created in December 2019, whose purpose is to guard and provide support for the implementation of the system. From this initial impulse, it is reported that in 2020 there were approximately 20 active processes, and 60 by March 2021.[6]​ In November 2023, it is reported that nearly 13,000 tons of organic waste have been processed in Bogotá.[16]​.

Its developer does not seek to patent the digester bale, in the interest of it being an open and collaborative technology. This is to seek its acceptance, dissemination and continuous reinvention.[10]​.

Contenido

La manera de armar un paca biodigestora es por capas.[11]​ A continuación se decriben los pasos de armado recomedados por algunos de los colectivos que divulgan esta práctica:[17]​[18]​.

Step by step

The maximum recommended dimension is 1m, which is approximately equivalent to 500 kg of mixture of organic waste, leaf litter and pruning remains.[2]​.

There are a series of benefits pointed out by paqueros (name as the executors of the bale call themselves) and researchers:

As in any socio-ecological link there are conflicts, tensions and controversies. In some farming communities, not all neighbors agree with this practice. These tensions are often generated, among other reasons, by the different imaginaries of the use of public space, by the lack of care, attention or maintenance after the Digester Bale is created, and even because some people leave their waste near the bales, generating bad odors and flies.[5]​.

In general, there is a challenge to promote processes of social appropriation with neighbors who see bales in public space. Many people tend to oppose the installation of digester bales for fear of the proliferation of bad odors and the presence of flies and rodents. Also, some neighbors defend the aesthetics and beauty that parks should preserve as places of contemplation and rest.[15]​.

This technique was developed and promoted by forestry technologist Guillermo Silva Pérez, a graduate of the National University of Colombia.[11]​ Silva has socialized and empirically understood this process, allowing society to be given an alternative to take responsibility for organic waste, generating at the same time the construction of healthy and sustainable environments.[14]​ His search began in 1977, when he worked in a tree nursery and saw how the manipulation of a pile of organic waste raised rot vapor and called flies, thus began his search to dignify the work of organic recyclers and find a clean alternative.[10]​ In addition, he was interested in managing the organic waste generated despite having limited space for its disposal, for this he was inspired by the shape of bales of straw or hay.[8]​ To avoid bad smells, Silva recognized the ecology of forest soils.[9]​ The first bale was made in the year 1989, and the collaboration with the Conquistadores school, in the city of Medellín, in 2008 stands out as the first significant project.[10]​.

This technology has gained popularity and social acceptance, mainly in Colombia where it has been developed, and has begun to expand in other countries.[4]​ among others, there are records of digester bales in Mexico,[11]​ Spain, Argentina and Uruguay.[10]​ It has had great acceptance and dissemination in Bogotá, generating a movement that promotes the benefits of its use. This began in March 2019 with Silva's visit/workshop in 4 places in the city, which had community processes involved in the care of the territory and the healthy management of its waste. This inspired the mobilization and expansion of this technique supported by the Paquerxs Bogotá Support Network created in December 2019, whose purpose is to guard and provide support for the implementation of the system. From this initial impulse, it is reported that in 2020 there were approximately 20 active processes, and 60 by March 2021.[6]​ In November 2023, it is reported that nearly 13,000 tons of organic waste have been processed in Bogotá.[16]​.

Its developer does not seek to patent the digester bale, in the interest of it being an open and collaborative technology. This is to seek its acceptance, dissemination and continuous reinvention.[10]​.

Contenido

La manera de armar un paca biodigestora es por capas.[11]​ A continuación se decriben los pasos de armado recomedados por algunos de los colectivos que divulgan esta práctica:[17]​[18]​.

Step by step

The maximum recommended dimension is 1m, which is approximately equivalent to 500 kg of mixture of organic waste, leaf litter and pruning remains.[2]​.