Abstract
Due to changes in lifestyle and improved economic status, the use of diapers is also increasing in developing nations. Hence, there is a need to develop an eco-friendly system for the disposal of discarded diapers which is termed diaper waste (DW). In the present study, the co-composting of DW with household wet biodegradable waste (HWBW) was performed in a compartmentalized rotary drum (CRD) (total capacity = 160 L, number of compartments = 4) under passive aeration conditions. For the co-composting runs, 1 kg of HWBW and DW mixture (mass ratio = 100:0, 90:10, 85:15, and 80:20) was added in four individual compartments daily for 10 days. During the process, the highest temperature of ~ 50–56 °C could be achieved in different compartments for a duration of 2–8 days. The compost yield (i.e., below 4 mm size material) was ranged 10.4–13% after 55 days of composting and the mass of DW was reduced by ~ 61–68%. A mixture of 15% DW and 85% HWBW can be suggested as the best combination for the co-composting process. Based on the “Dewar test” results, the samples recovered after composting could be categorized as “stable”. The pot results showed an improvement in the growth of Vigna Radiata when 10% compost sample was mixed with soil whereas with 20% compost in the soil-compost mixture, the plant growth was adversely affected. Hence, co-composting of DW with HWBW can be a feasible proposition which can produce a good quality compost.
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Acknowledgements
The author wishes to thank the workers who helped in the collection of waste for the experimental study. The authors would also like to thank the Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility and central facility of Chemistry Department, IIT Bombay, for conducting the analysis of solid samples. The first author is grateful to the Ministry of Human Resources and Development, New Delhi, India, for providing him the fellowship to carry out the research work for his doctoral degree.
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Both the authors contributed to the study conception and design. Investigation and formal analysis were performed by Barun Kanoo. Interpretation of the results was performed by both the authors. The first author also prepared the first draft. Anurag Garg commented and edited the manuscript versions. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Kanoo, B., Garg, A. Effect of diaper waste on composting of household wet biodegradable waste in a decentralized system. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 98966–98976 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-25942-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-25942-5