Evaluation of the different methods of composting as a strategy for management of organic wastes from markets.

Abstract

An increase in Solid waste attributed to an increase in waste generation rates due to growth of urban areas like Kampala is being seen and without proper and efficient means of handling waste, landfills are bound to fill up. Furthermore landfills that are currently the most common means of dealing with waste generated in Kampala have numerous disadvantages associated with them. As an alternative to this, composting is seen as a suitable way of reducing on the amount of waste that goes to the landfills. It is seen that market waste contributes a substantial percentage of waste and if this is cut off and turned to compost, not only will it reduce on the rate of filling up of the landfills but also provides a pathogen-free soil conditioner that can improve water retention and ion exchange capacity, leaching of nutrients in the root zones and the movement of air in the soil matrix. A number of ways exist for carrying out composting but insufficient information exists that compares these methods to give the most efficient method for handling organic market waste. This is where our research will focus to try and close the gap in information about the composting methods. The methods that will be evaluated include Windrow composting, passively aerated windrow, in-vessel composting and Vermi composting. The characteristics of the compost from each method will analyzed and compared against the other methods, then compared with a standard to obtain the most suitable method and recommend it for large scale operation