Valorization of sawdust by co-composting with food waste using a small-scale composter
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Date
2022-06-20
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Islamic Azad University-Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch-Iran
Abstract
This study aimed to produce a value-added product by co-composting sawdust with food waste using a small scale composter.
The composting experiment was carried out using 60L composting bins with a hole of 3 mm and 10 cm apart
drilled on its side. Three experimental trials 1, 2 and 3 were adopted in this study with mixture of sawdust and food
waste (Trial 1= 80% sawdust + 20% food waste, Trial 2 = 70% sawdust + 30% food waste, Trial 3 = 60% sawdust +
40% food waste). The composting process lasted for 90 days. Parameters examined throughout the composting process
include temperature, moisture content, pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter content, and organic matter losses.
The results indicated that all the compost trials exhibit good development of composting process, with the
highest solid organic degradation reached in a shorter period in compost trial 3. The temperature profile of the three
trials are the same and above 60 0C after 30 days of composting. The compost samples had a pH ranging from 5.9 to
9.4. The electrical conductivity of the three composting trials was following the recommended value. The best compost
trial that produces quality compost is compost trial 3.
The results showed that all composts obtained were stable and matured. In brief, recycling sawdust through
the composting process to obtain valuable end products is adequate but in the presence of nitrogen-rich waste, such
as waste food materials.
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