ABSTRACT
The authors have considered the process of leaf biomass utilization and biogas production from yard waste collected in city parks. The heat-producing characteristics of the biogas obtained were analyzed and defined quantitatively. The composition of the plant substrate obtained from the plant biomass via mesophilic fermentation was studied. The practical application of the digested plant substrate for fertilization was investigated on the example of sprouting of vegetable seeds. The prospects of further research development were analyzed with a view of mode optimization of plant biomass fermentation during leaf biomass processing. Reducing the working area of municipal solid waste landfills through the disposal of fallen leaves is a promising initiative, both from an environmental and economic point of view. This is due to the fact that the maintenance of landfills requires large amounts of funds and the elimination of environmental consequences – even more so. The analysis of methodological approaches to the treatment of fallen leaves makes it possible to identify such basics as: storage and disposal at landfills and landfills for solid waste, composting, and briquetting. Among the promising options for the use of fallen leaves as a secondary resource are anaerobic fermentation with subsequent production of biogas and fertilizers, processing of fallen leaves to obtain a sorbent of petroleum products, and the use of fallen leaves as filler for gypsum boards.
