Determination of Compost Maturity by Rotary Drum Composting of Organic Solid Waste

Studies are conducted to evaluate the stability of compost prepared by three combinations (C/N 16, 22 and 30) of grass cutting, mix vegetable waste, cattle dung, food waste, and paper waste and saw waste in a rotary drum composter. Variations in key stability parameters were observed to assess the stability of compost. The decrease in CO2 evolution rates for the C/N 16, 22 and 30 strongly recommended the viability of rotary drum for all kind of municipal organic waste with different C/N ratios. Results indicated the compost of C/N 22 with lower final Oxygen Uptake Rate (OUR), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) can be considered as the very mature compost with, and were ready for usage as a soil conditioner. Therefore, it can be suggested that rotary drum composting of mixed organic waste at initial C/N ratio of 22 can produce stable compost within 20 days of composting.