Urban Solid Waste Management Techniques With Special Reference to Vermicomposting

Abstract

The majority of municipal (urban) solid waste (MSW) is disposed of in landfills (anaerobic composting). However, this disposal system is reported to produce hazardous environmental impacts, and new policies are initiated to protect the environment from such impacts by discouraging the practice of disposal of solid waste in landfills. Eco-friendly disposal alternatives to landfills need to be explored. One of the technological options for treatment and disposal of organic solid wastes is vermicomposting. Instead of using conventional composting methods, the vermicomposting method can be used for the disposal of the waste. The enzymatic and microbial activities that occur during vermicomposting process by worms gives a better end product than using the conventional composting. Food waste will be recovered for vermicomposting, and the end products can be organic fertilizer, soil improver, and an alternative source of potential energy. Vermicomposting or vermiculture is an eco-friendly process whereby worms are used to breakdown the organic waste into soil and humus known as vermicast, vermicompost, or earthworm compost. The objective is to process the organic material as quickly and efficiently as possible. During the breakdown of organic matter by the earthworm, humus, which is a complicated material, is formed. The material formed is high in content of nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus, which are the main elements required by plants for their growth, health, and freshness.