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P. Lakshmi Narayana Prasad and J. Karthikeyan
4 Vermicomposting of Municipal Solid Waste
Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste indicated nearly 67.62% of the material to be
total compostable matter (TCM), and therefore, composting of solid waste after
segregation is suggested as an appropriate method of solid waste management. Vermicomposting is close to the nature as an old process. The compost that is generated has good nutrient value. The vermicompost is also a good soil conditioner
and improves water retention capacity. Generally, composting units are located far
away from the city to mitigate the associated problems. This involves transport of
compostable waste materials as well as compost. Sometimes the cost of transportation of the compost will be high rather than the value of the compost. To offset the
cost of transportation of solid waste and compost, a novel method ‘compost park’ is
proposed. In this method, decentralization of vermicomposting units is proposed to
treat the biodegradable organic matter with the town limits. By this method, the cost
of transportation may be reduced considerably.
5 Concept of Compost Parks
A decentralized system of vermicomposting of solid waste in public places like
market yards, parks, educational institutions, office premises, etc., is suggested, and
the details of this method are presented below. Municipal Solid Waste collected in
an area (zone or division) may be transported to nearby common/public areas like
shopping complexes, parks, government office premises, educational institutions,
etc., for vermicomposting. It is possible to segregate biodegradable waste at source
and transported to these places and is subjected to vermicomposting in small, shallow,
open pits.
Decentralizing the process of vermicomposting to a number of public places
within the town such as parks, educational institutions, government office premises,
etc., not only reduces the cost of transportation of solid waste as well as compost,
but also facilitates effective utilization and efficient marketing of compost. The compostable fractions may be conveyed through tricycles to these decentralized places
which are close to the source of waste generation with minimum cost. The generated
compost can be utilized within that parks, educational institutions, government office
premises, etc., or may even be sold to the interested public and can become a source
of revenue. This vermicompost can even replace the synthetic fertilizers used for the
gardens and thus can save money spent for the synthetic fertilizers in addition to
being pest resistant and eco-friendly.
P. Lakshmi Narayana Prasad and J. Karthikeyan
4 Vermicomposting of Municipal Solid Waste
Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste indicated nearly 67.62% of the material to be
total compostable matter (TCM), and therefore, composting of solid waste after
segregation is suggested as an appropriate method of solid waste management. Vermicomposting is close to the nature as an old process. The compost that is generated has good nutrient value. The vermicompost is also a good soil conditioner
and improves water retention capacity. Generally, composting units are located far
away from the city to mitigate the associated problems. This involves transport of
compostable waste materials as well as compost. Sometimes the cost of transportation of the compost will be high rather than the value of the compost. To offset the
cost of transportation of solid waste and compost, a novel method ‘compost park’ is
proposed. In this method, decentralization of vermicomposting units is proposed to
treat the biodegradable organic matter with the town limits. By this method, the cost
of transportation may be reduced considerably.
5 Concept of Compost Parks
A decentralized system of vermicomposting of solid waste in public places like
market yards, parks, educational institutions, office premises, etc., is suggested, and
the details of this method are presented below. Municipal Solid Waste collected in
an area (zone or division) may be transported to nearby common/public areas like
shopping complexes, parks, government office premises, educational institutions,
etc., for vermicomposting. It is possible to segregate biodegradable waste at source
and transported to these places and is subjected to vermicomposting in small, shallow,
open pits.
Decentralizing the process of vermicomposting to a number of public places
within the town such as parks, educational institutions, government office premises,
etc., not only reduces the cost of transportation of solid waste as well as compost,
but also facilitates effective utilization and efficient marketing of compost. The compostable fractions may be conveyed through tricycles to these decentralized places
which are close to the source of waste generation with minimum cost. The generated
compost can be utilized within that parks, educational institutions, government office
premises, etc., or may even be sold to the interested public and can become a source
of revenue. This vermicompost can even replace the synthetic fertilizers used for the
gardens and thus can save money spent for the synthetic fertilizers in addition to
being pest resistant and eco-friendly.