Abstract
Composting involves the biological decomposition of materials (solid or semi-solid) using microorganisms over a period of time, resulting in organic material degradation and volume reduction. The composting process has always been a part of natural ecosystems and four basic components: organic matter, moisture, oxygen, and bacteria. However, failure to understand the complexity of biological, chemical, and physical processes can hinder a composting system. Furthermore, inadequate optimization of modern composting in urban waste streams can lead to excessive waste in open dumps and landfills. In this study, solid waste taken from four residential sources and one commercial source (canteen) at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) was characterized. The main component (87%) of this waste was found to be organic or food refuse. Composting experiments on this waste were conducted using a laboratory-scale custom-made setup under five different conditions, and their compost products were quantitatively analyzed. Vermicomposting produced compost with better NPK content than an open composting system. All compost products were found to have pH values between 6 and 7.5, making them suitable for plant growth. Electrical conductivity (EC) was observed to be lower than that required for plant growth (<2.0 dS/m EC) but in the optimum range for earthworm biological conditions. Vermicomposting reduced bulk density, which is preferred for healthy soil since it promotes root movement and increases water and air penetration. Actual plant growth using the compost product from red worms was found to yield better plant weight (g/g), height, and leaves (mm2/mm2). The addition of BOPS was found to slightly reduce plant growth, however resulted moisture content reduction and potentially reduce bad odors.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the support from Department of Higher Education (KPT) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). The author is thankful to the EcoCampus Waste management UMS, the residences of the study areas, and Mr. Gilbert Raymond Misin and Mr. Gordon Julius for assisting in the completion of this research work.
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Bolong, N., Saad, I. (2020). Characterization of University Residential and Canteen Solid Waste for Composting and Vermicomposting Development. In: Yaser, A. (eds) Green Engineering for Campus Sustainability. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7260-5_14
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7260-5_14
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