Discharge and Recycling of Urban Wasted Biomass

Abstract

Various types of organic waste are generated in urban areas. These organic wastes as recyclable biomass should be utilized for multipurpose resource such as fertilizer and fuel, among others. Food waste can be a target biomass because increasing awareness of the issue on food wasting in recent years has led to a decreasing trend in the quantity of food waste collected. The wasted biomass is also expected as an energy resource because it contains lots of carbon component. Pruned branches from bushes and trees along streets or in parks with a relatively low moisture content are desirable combustion materials. Waste cooking oil is specifically feasible to be converted into biodiesel fuel.

The compost consists of not only inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus, organic acid, or sugars from the decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms but also undecomposed residue, as well as dead and living microorganisms. It is generally mixed with soil and is intended to be used as a soil conditioner. The definition of compost is somewhat vague and complicated because there is no definite method applicable for qualifying and assessing compost. Compost is intended to function primarily as a soil conditioner, followed by acting as a nutrient provider. Raw materials for compost, aside from livestock excreta, include agricultural residue, fallen leaves, food waste, sewage sludge, etc. The materials vary so widely that each compost has unique characteristics according to the raw and secondary materials used.

Knowledge and information concerning the impact of recycled products on the processes of decomposition, mineralization, and crop intake, as well as their remaining residues in soil, will be the most fundamental concerns for promoting the practice of organic farming. An attempt using self-organizing map (SOM) is explained so that both manufacturers and consumers can understand various properties of recycled products.