Investigating the Possibility of Mixing Food and Yard Waste for an Effective Compost Product at an Existing Pilot-scale Composting Plant

Abstract

Composting is a natural biological process that reduces the waste stream into a product that can be used as a conditioner. The existing Pilot-Scale composting plant at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) totally utilizes yard waste for its function. However, a large amount of food waste is also being generated from the kitchen of the University. The main objective of this research was to investigate the possibility of mixing food and yard wastes in the process of composting to determine the optimum ratio between food and yard waste for an effective compost product. In addition, the effect of certain parameters on the effectiveness of composting process, sand content, particle size, and the weight and volume reduction during the composting process was investigated. The research was conducted at the existing Pilot-Scale composting plant at KDU premises. Different ratios of yard and food waste were mixed together to determine the most appropriate ratio between yard and food waste for effective compost product. The results of the study revealed that the parameters measured during the research were within the standard range when the percentage of food waste varies between 0% and 30% by volume. The most effective ratio between food and yard are 83% and 87%, respectively. Therefore, the existing Pilot-Scale composting plant at KDU can be modified by utilizing a mixture of food and yard waste to produce effective compost product.