Abstract: Biodegradable solid waste disposal and management has been a major problem in Nigeria and indiscriminate dumping of this waste either into watercourses or drains has led to environmental hazards affecting public health. The study investigated the nutrients level of pit composting and vermicomposting. Wooden bins 60 cm × 30 cm × 30 cm3 in size were constructed and bedding materials (sawdust, egg shell, paper and grasses) and red worms (Eisenia fetida) introduced to facilitate the free movement and protection of the worms against harsh weather. A pit of 100 cm × 100 cm × 100 cm3 was dug and worms were introduced into the pit, which was turned every two weeks. Food waste was fed to the red worms in the bin and pit, respectively. The composts were harvested after 100 days and analysed. The analyses gave: nitrogen has average value 0.87 % and 1.29 %; phosphorus 0.66 % and 1.78 %; potassium 4.35 % and 6.27 % for the pit and vermicomposting, respectively. Higher nutrient status of vermicomposting over pit composting may be attributed to the secretions in the intestinal tracts of worms which are more readily available for plant growth. However, iron and aluminium were more in the pit compost than the vermin compost and this may be attributed to the iron and aluminium already present in the soil before the composting took place. Other nutrients in ppm concentrations were aluminium 4,999.50 and 3,989.33; iron 2,131.83 and 633.40 for the pit and vermicomposting, respectively. These nutrients are only needed by plants in small quantities. Hence, vermicomposting has the higher concentration of essential nutrients necessary for healthy plant growth.
Abstract: This research aimed to study on the potential of
recycling organic waste in Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University as
compost. In doing so, the composition of solid waste generated in the
campus was investigated while physical and chemical properties of
organic waste were analyzed in order to evaluate the portion of waste
suitable for recycling as compost. As a result of the study, it was
found that (1) the amount of organic waste was averaged at 299.8
kg/day in which mixed food wastes had the highest amount of 191.9
kg/day followed by mixed leave & yard wastes and mixed fruit &
vegetable wastes at the amount of 66.3 and 41.6 kg/day respectively;
(2) physical and chemical properties of organic waste in terms of
moisture content was between 69.54 to 78.15%, major elements for
plant as N, P and K were 0.14 to 0.17%, 0.46 to 0.52% and 0.16 to
0.18% respectively, and carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N) was about 15:1
to 17.5:1; (3) recycling organic waste as compost was designed by
aerobic decomposition using mixed food wastes : mixed leave & yard
wastes : mixed fruit & vegetable wastes at the portion of 3:2:1 by
weight in accordance with the potential of their amounts and their
physical and chemical properties.