A SEQUENTIAL BATCH COMPOSTER FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF KITCHEN AND GARDEN WASTE IN RESTAURANTS AND GUEST HOUSES

Abstract

The disposal of solid waste is the last operation of solid waste management. Composting can be considered as an attractive onsite waste disposal option for the management of organic solid wastes. The medium scale waste gener ators (25-50kg/day) do not have proper, adaptive technology for the production of compost. In this study, it was attempted to design, construct and evaluate a composting bin system for the management of organic waste in res taurants and guest houses. The composting structures designed were installed in Kataragama town. Kitchen and garden waste was used as raw material. The first composting system is composed of six bins while the second sys tem had only four bins. The six bins system was operated using only six bins for the total composting period while other was operated using four bins. Kitchen and garden waste mixture (3:1) was used for the composting. Waste in the first week was added to the first bin and then degrading waste in first bin was transferred to the next bin in second week. This procedure was followed until the completing the compost production. Temperature is recorded daily while pH, EC, nitrogen and organic carbon were measured once in a week. Selected physical and chemical parameters of the compost were also determined. The quality parameters in both rotation systems are almost similar to the compost standards given by Sri Lanka standard institute. The four bin rotation system is quite com plex than the six bin rotation system and therefore, six bin rotation system can be recommended since it can be operated easily. Based on the results of the study, the designed composter can be successfully used for the produc tion of compost from kitchen and garden waste.