Vermicomposting: A Green Technology for Organic Waste Management

Abstract

Population growth, urbanization, industrialization, intensification of agriculture and food production have considerably contributed to solid waste generation in recent times. To dispose this burgeoning solid waste, destructive techniques such as landfilling and incineration are used. These methods wipe out various nutrients present in the solid waste which otherwise can be recycled using other methods. Solid waste is heterogeneous in nature, and any single method is not sufficient for its management. But Non-toxic fraction of the solid wastes can be used as feedstock for various biological processes to recover or produce value-added products from solid wastes. Such biological processes include biomethanation, composting and vermicomposting. Among these, vermicomposting has been reported as a practicable, economical and swift technique for proficient management of the solid wastes. In this process, earthworms convert compostable fraction of the solid wastes into stabilized, finely divided peat-like material called vermicompost that can be used as manure in agricultural fields to improve soil health. Different waste residues like animal excreta, agricultural residues, domestic waste, sewage sludge, industrial wastes etc. have been used as earthworm feedstock in various research trials. In this chapter, solid wastes, vermicomposting process, various feedstocks, vermicompost quality etc. have been discussed in detail.