Abstract
High moisture content in organic wastes leads to a leachate production. Vegetable waste is one kind of municipal solid organic wastes holding very high moisture (88–94%) and thus becoming nuisance to the environment. Composting is a viable technology to treat such organic waste. This research mainly deals with the insight on physic state of composting during composting of vegetable wastes added with the inoculum and bulking agents. This study showed the attainment of thermophilic stage (65–70 °C) during the composting process and completed with the pathogen-free end product. The bulk density increased from 312 to 380 kg m− 3 and was well within the recommended range (less than 1000 kg m− 3). The electrical conductivity of the end product was also within the mentioned range (< 4 dS m− 1). On evaluating the Pearson’s correlation coefficient matrix amongst physical parameters, the moisture content and the free air space exhibited positive relationship.
Highlights
Composting is the degradation of organic wastes in the presence of oxygen
This study aims to determine: (1) how the combined addition of bulking agents and inoculum affects composting during the composting of vegetable wastes; (2) how these additions improvise the chemical and nutritional quality of the final compost; and (3) what are the correlations among various physical parameters
It is predictable that composting process is a four-phase process, consisting of the first as mesophilic phase (25–40 °C), second as thermophilic phase (45–70 °C), cooling phase, and maturation phase [21]
Summary
Composting is the degradation of organic wastes in the presence of oxygen It is one of the best biological treatment that converts waste into a useful compound known as compost. It is an eco-friendly, inexpensive and viable process for organic waste management. Composting process is regulated by the fundamental environmental factors such as temperature, moisture content, pH and aeration and some characteristics (such as C/N ratio, particle size and nutrients) of organic wastes [2] Organic wastes such as vegetable wastes possess higher moisture content (88–94%) and slightly acidic pH (5.1) as characterized in this study.
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