Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

VERMICOMPOSTING - A COST EFFECTIVE DISPOSAL OF MARKET WASTE

V. Karthikeyan and R.Murugesan

Abstract

The disposal of solid waste is one of the major problems being faced globally. Solid waste generated from domestic, commercial and industrial activities are set aside on the street in an unscientific manner in under-developed and developing countries which leads to severe environmental concerns and health hazards. The Salem city generating a huge quantity of solid waste from four zones Suramangalam, Hasthampatti, Ammapet and Kondalampatti was estimated as 335 MT per day. Wherein, market waste alone estimated as 22.41 MT per day from daily vegetable market. At present, the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) were collected, transported and dumped at Erumapalayam landfill for more than four decades in an unscientific manner, which is almost overflowing. An alternate method of disposal is need of the hour. The vermicomposting process is becoming more popular for its cost-effectiveness and ecofriendly approach. In this study, market waste was taken for vermicomposting process. To accelerate the vermicomposting process, inoculants viz, cow-dung and press-mud were used in proportions 1:0.5, 1:1, 1:1.5 and 1:1:0.5. The temperature and moisture were maintained in suitable condition. This study reveals that the proportions of 1:1 (Market Waste: Cow dung) and 1:1:0.5 (Market Waste: Cow dung: Press-mud) gives the optimum results by producing good quality of bio-compost in 30 days and 20 days. lithe entire quantity of market waste is converted into bio-compost by vermicomposting process, will fetch lucrative revenue to the authorities concerned. Also this will conquer the environmental concerns.