Variation in the key indicators during composting of municipal solid organic wastes

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.