The potential reuse of biodegradable municipal solid wastes (MSW) as feedstocks in vermicomposting

Abstract

There is an urgent need globally to find alternative sustainable steps to treat municipal solid wastes (MSW) originated from mismanagement of urban wastes with increasing disposal cost. Furthermore, a conglomeration of ever-increasing population and consumerist lifestyle is contributing towards the generation of more MSW. In this context, vermicomposting offers excellent potential to promote safe, hygienic and sustainable management of biodegradable MSW. It has been demonstrated that, through vermicomposting, MSW such as city garbage, household and kitchen wastes, vegetable wastes, paper wastes, human faeces and others could be sustainably transformed into organic fertiliser or vermicompost that provides great benefits to agricultural soil and plants. Generally, earthworms are sensitive to their environment and require temperature, moisture content, pH and sometimes ventilation at proper levels for the optimum vermicomposting process. Apart from setting the optimum operational conditions for the vermicomposting process, other approaches such as pre-composting, inoculating micro-organisms into MSW and redesigning the conventional vermireactor could be introduced to further enhance the vermicomposting of MSW. Thus the present mini-review discusses the potential of introducing vermicomposting in MSW management, the benefits of vermicomposted MSW to plants, suggestions on how to enhance the vermicomposting of MSW as well as risk management in the vermicomposting of MSW.

A potential bioconversion of empty fruit bunches into organic fertilizer using Eudrilus eugeniae

“…According to Yadav and Garg (2011), the acceptable pH range for earthworms and microorganisms activity during vermicomposting is 5.5-8.5, in which case the optimum pH is neutral or near neutral. The vermicomposting process will only be slowed down drastically (due to the mortality of the earthworms) when the pH of the waste is lower than 5 ( Sim and Wu 2010). Overall, the pHs of all the initial feedstocks and final vermicomposts in this study were in the ranges of 6.32-6.…”

“…Vermicomposting is a composting process involving the interaction of earthworms and microorganisms to produce humus-like material known as vermicompost. Vermicomposting is especially favored to be used when space is at a premium (unavailability of larger spaces for composting in pits) (Sim and Wu 2010). The vermicompost is a stabilized product having greater contents of the most needed nutrients in the forms that are readily taken up by the plants.…”

Treatment technologies for urban solid biowaste to create value products: a review with focus on low- and middle-income settings

“…In contrast to composting, vermicomposting is not an exothermic process, which means that it does not lead to a temperature rise in the vermicompost. Most earthworm species require moderate/mesophilic temperatures in the range of 10-35°C (Sim and Wu 2010). In this range the worms feel most comfortable and feed most rapidly.…”

Banana by-products: an under-utilized renewable food biomass with great potential

“…Bonatti et al (2004); Silveira et al (2008) Banana peels (variety not specified) Shelf mushroom (Lentinus squarrosulus) Adejoye and Masewonrun (2009) Leaves (variety not specified) Agaric mushroom (Psathyrella atroumbonata Pegler) Ayodele and Okhuoya (2007) manage, recycle and convert biodegradable solid waste into nutrient rich plant growth medium or soil amender (Sim and Wu 2010). Bio-fertilizers are often distinguished from normal organic fertilizers by its capacity to deliver and retain a high number of beneficial soil enhancing microorganisms to the soil instead of just having processed fertile organic biomass (Phirke and Kothari 2005).…”