Santosh Narayan Chadar*
1
, Keerti Chadar
2
and Manju Singh
1
1
Department of Chemistry, University Institute of Technology, India
2
Department of Education, Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya, India
*Corresponding author: Santosh Narayan Chadar, Department of Chemistry, University Institute of Technology - RGPV Bhopal, India.
Submission: March 08, 2018; Published: September 19, 2018
Composting as an Eco-Friendly Method to
Recycle Organic Waste
Introduction
Composting of waste involves decomposition of organic waste
into humus known as a fertilizer. Compost is a key ingredient in
organic farming. Compost is rich in nutrients. Traditional method
of composting involves making the heaps of wet organic matter
as leaves, food waste, kitchen waste, paper shredded, mixed with
grass cuttings, industrial waste as food pulp and paper, sewage
sludge, yard and garden waste etc. and waiting till the material gets
converted into humus. It is a time-consuming process. It takes few
months to get ready. Whereas the modern method of composting
involves various steps and the compost is obtained within 2-3weeks.
In this method the process is closely monitored [2], proper aeration
is maintained. As per need water, air, carbon, and nitrogen rich
material is used which enhance the process of humus formation by
producing heat. Worms, fungi, bacteria, are breaking the material.
All these factors help in humus formation positively. Composting
is enhancing soil fertility as it acts as a soil conditioner, fertilizer,
natural pesticides. The heat produced during composting destroys
pathogens, the disease-causing microorganism and weed seeds [3].
Types of Composting
Aerobic composting
The composting which take place in presence of oxygen is called
aerobic composting. In aerobic composting CO
2
, water, heat, and
NH
3
are produced. Any type of waste can be treated by this method
when proper ingredients and conditions are present [4].
Anaerobic composting
The composting which takes place in absence of O
2
, Methane,
CO
2
, NH
3
and trace amount of other gases and organic acids are
produced. This method is used to treat municipal solid waste,
animal manure, and human sewage sludge [5].
Techniques Involved in Composting
Industrial scale composting process
It consists of the methods by which the compost is produced
in large amount such as In-vessel composting, aerated static pile
composting, vermicomposting and windrow composting.
Vermicomposting: In this method, the red wiggler earthworm
or red worm are used, also
known as tiger worms. These worms’ feeds on vegetable
waste and kitchen scraps. They transform this waste material into
highly fertile manure. Moisture contents should be maintained
properly as it should not harm worms. Maintain 50-77degree
Celsius temperature because at this stage the worms are at their
decomposing peak [6].
Aerated static pile: Also termed as tunnel composting. It is
controlled process for the fast
biodegradation of organic matter. It refers to a number of
systems used to biodegrade organic material without physical
Research Article
252
Copyright © All rights are reserved by Santosh Narayan Chadar.
Volume - 2 Issue - 5
Progress in Petrochemical Science
C
CRIMSON PUBLISHERS
Wings to the Research
ISSN 2637-8035
Abstract
Recycling organic matter back into the soil to improve soil structure and fertility is termed composting. It is the method for treating waste. Sanitary
landfills, dumping of waste in open leads to various environmental problems and cause pollution. Composting is a method by which stabilization of
waste is done for land filling, mass reduction of solid waste is done and hence in this way the waste return to the natural cycle as an organic substance.
This paper reviews the information regarding the waste treating process i.e., composting in order to reduce air, water and land pollution and enhance
soil fertility, it also reviews the benefits of composting and the techniques involved in it [1].
Keywords: Composting; Municipal solid waste; Pollution; Landfills; Aerobic composting; Anaerobic composting; Vermicomposting; Windrow
composting