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Assessment of the performance of different compost models to manage urban household organic solid wastes

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Abstract

The environmental, cultural, socio-economic and political conditions of each community greatly affect the municipality’s effort and decision-making in managing household wastes. Composting at home can be used as a sound method of SWM, can manage the waste at source itself thereby can increase their recycling. And vermicomposting is a viable and completely feasible option at household level, provided it is acceptable to family members to handle the worms and to remove worm-casts subsequently. In this regard, the present paper gives a methodological framework for assessing the management of urban household organic wastes using different compost models to influence the actual efficiency and effectiveness of a municipality’s collection and management services. The current study also deals with the challenges of solid waste management with a focus on the segregation of compostable wastes from the non-compostable ones and their composting, recycling or disposal. The non-compostable wastes can be left for recycling and re-use by the concerned authorities. The composting behavior and the efficiency of different compost models have been dealt with, and it is concluded that vermicomposting model is the best option. Urban residents can be educated to vermicompost not only their entire kitchen wastes but also garden wastes to reduce the burden on the municipal councils.

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Acknowledgments

This study was completed at the Bangalore University under guidance of Prof. R.K. Somashekar, Professor and Chairman, Department of Environmental Science, Bangalore University, Bangalore. Special thanks to Gandhi Krishi Vignyan Kendra (GKVK), Bangalore for providing cultures of earthworms to carryout vermicomposting. Special gratitude to the support and cooperation extended from individuals of the selected households of the Janapriya Heavens Apartments, Allalasandra, Bangalore during the course of the study.

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  1. Department of Environmental Science, Bangalore University, Bangalore 56, India

    P. Ravi Kumar,  Ambika Jayaram & R. K. Somashekar

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  1. P. Ravi Kumar
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  2. Ambika Jayaram
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  3. R. K. Somashekar
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Correspondence to P. Ravi Kumar.

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Ravi Kumar, P., Ambika Jayaram & Somashekar, R.K. Assessment of the performance of different compost models to manage urban household organic solid wastes. Clean Techn Environ Policy 11, 473–484 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-009-0204-9

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