Abstract
PurposeFlower waste dumping in landfills and other disposal sites is causing major environmental issues due to its highly biodegradable nature. Instead, flower waste can be successfully composted for its higher nutrient value. Therefore, this study evaluated the pile composting of flower waste with different combinations of cow dung and saw dust to produce stabilized compost.MethodsFive agitated piles of flower waste mixture were formed in trapezoidal shape to perform the composting. Pile (P0) was a control experiment, which contained 100 kg flower waste. The quantity of flower waste mixture with cow dung and saw dust in the other Piles was a total of 100 kg i.e. P1 (50:40:10) kg, P2 (60:30:10) kg, P3 (70:20:10) kg and P4 (80:10:10) kg, respectively.ResultsTemperature above 50 °C was observed in all the piles except in P0. Physico-chemical characteristics of compost showed a stabilized compost obtained by proportionate mix of flower waste, cow dung and saw dust. Pile P2 was observed with pH 7.23 and electrical conductivity 3.98 mS cm−1, total organic carbon 30.9%, total nitrogen 2.31% and C:N ratio 14, thus a good proportion for compost amongst all the piles.ConclusionsAppropriate proportion of waste mixture played an important role in providing favorable conditions for the microbial transformation of flower waste to stabilized compost. Temperature influenced the growth of microbes and maximum temperature was helpful in fast degradation of organic matter. Finally, flower waste with a combination of cow dung and saw dust was found to be successful during pile composting.
Highlights
In India, flowers are used for various purposes such as an offering to deities in religious places for worship, making garlands and bouquets, as decorative item for various religious ceremonies and social gatherings
Five agitated piles of flower waste mixture were formed in trapezoidal shape to perform the composting
Appropriate proportion of waste mixture played an important role in providing favorable conditions for the microbial transformation of flower waste to stabilized compost
Summary
In India, flowers are used for various purposes such as an offering to deities in religious places for worship, making garlands and bouquets, as decorative item for various religious ceremonies and social gatherings. About 300 MT of flower waste is generated per day and it has been found to be one of the major constituents of municipal solid waste (Singh et al 2013). Most of the flower waste generated is disposed by directly dumping it in open land, water bodies. It is mixed with municipal solid waste for further treatment. Significant increase in leachate formation has been reported when flower waste/organic waste is mixed with municipal waste and is disposed off. Flower waste disposed into rivers causes pollution of river water and is harmful for both human and aquatic life. Owing to the organic nature of flower waste and the significant presence of macro and micronutrients, composting offers a feasible solution to deal with flower waste
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