Recovery assessment of lumber mill wastes: composting product field test

Abstract

Lumber mill waste with more than monthly generation of 5000 tons is one of the main solid waste sources in the local I-Lan area. The lumber sawdust together with seafood processing residue and distiller byproducts, is evaluated within a composting machine as a disposal alternative to the conventional landfill and incineration methods. The addition of seabird manure provides adequate P source for the eventual composting product to be used as an alternative organic fertilizer to conventional chemical fertilizer. Thermophilic bacteria were added to facilitate composting reaction at 70°C. The composting product was further evaluated for effectiveness as organic fertilizer in greenhouse and field studies. The tested plants include Zinnia elegans, Celosia cristata and Asplenium nidus L. The control experiments include soil alone as well as soil with the addition of chemical fertilizer or compost product. The experimental results demonstrate that flower growth of the C. cristata is enhanced in the presence of composting product. The cost analysis indicates that it is economically feasible to yield a useful composting product.