Effect of Temperature Variation on Co-composting of Flower and Fruit Wastes Using Rice Husk as Bulking Agent

Abstract

Each day, fruit and flower waste is dumped alongside municipal solid waste. The collection of fruit and flower waste is easy compared to other waste materials as it is generated mostly in a particular area, for example, juice factories and stalls, religious places, graveyards, marriage and party halls, restaurants, etc. This waste can be composted since it is high in organic carbon. Biological composting is the most common and economical technique to decompose organic waste materials. However, the process is highly temperature sensitive. The composition of organic waste at ambient temperature requires 15–30 days to stabilize. In this study, fruit and flower waste was shredded and co-composted at different ratios at ambient (28–30°C) and controlled temperature (35–37°C) in an incubator. Organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, conductivity, pH, and temperature were regularly monitored, maintaining moisture content of 67% to 70%. The study shows that the waste stabilized within 4 days under controlled conditions, whereas the same waste took 14 days to stabilize at ambient temperature.