Sumith Pilapitiya
Sri Lanka
Research Article
Resource Conservation by Effective Composting of Municipal Solid Waste in Sri Lanka – Optimum Moisture Range for the Bio-oxidative Phase
Author(s): Weerasinghe VPA , Upeksha Kaluarachchi, Sumith PilapitiyaWeerasinghe VPA , Upeksha Kaluarachchi, Sumith Pilapitiya
Waste is a resource. Municipal solid waste management is a great concern in Sri Lanka due to high water content and heterogeneity of the waste. Composting is one of the important, cost effective methods of management of biological waste in developing countries. This study was performed to determine the optimum moisture range for effective composting, which can be maintained throughout the bio-oxidative phase of the composting process to accelerate the decomposition rate and eventually get a better compost product. Four wind row piles were set up with moisture contents adjusted to 60% ± 10% (Control) for five weeks, 40% ± 10% (Pile A), 60% ± 10% (Pile B) and 80% ± 10% (Pile C) for 8 weeks. Moisture content of the control pile was lowered to a value of 40%± 10% during the last three weeks while other piles were maintained within the experimental moistu.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2252-5211.1000313