Abstract:
Municipal solid waste (MSW) has become a severe problem due to the absence of a proper
management system and lack of proper waste disposal plans. This problem is accelerated by
adding slaughter house waste (SHW) into the MSW. It generally ends up in open dumps and
creates various problems. Composting of MSW would decrease the amount of solid waste and
act as a waste management technique. This study aims to explore the potential of using slaughter
house waste for compost making in combination with MSW and residual waste (RW), and to
identify and analyze the best mixing ratio and operational procedures to accomplish a costeffective
composting operation. Open windrow layer method was used. The experimental heaps
were 1.37×2.13×1.52 m and nine heaps with different combinations and ratios of RW, MSW and
SHW were designed for this study. Heaps were turned once in two weeks. Physical, chemical
and biological changes were determined during the composting process to evaluate the
effectiveness of the process. Seed germination and seedling growth were assessed in the final
compost by introducing radish and green gram seeds. It was found that ratios of 20:80,
SHW:MSW and 30:70, SHW:MSW compost mixtures resulted in remarkably high quality
compost than 10:90, 20:80, 30:70 and 50:50 SHW:RW and 10:90 SHW:MSW compost
mixtures. Turning the windrows for aeration was found to accelerate the rate of composting.
Temperature of 65-75o C in thermophilic stage, C/N ratio of 35:1, pH of 7.3-7.7 (neutral), bulk
density of 600-700 kg/m3, conductivity in the range of 4-4.4 mS/cm and moisture in the range of
55-60% and waste mixtures in the ratio of 20:80, SHW:MSW and 30:70 SHW:MSW were in
suitable range for the production of acceptable organic fertilizers for the crops. Percentage of
seed germination and seedling growth were high in compost containing a ratio of 20:80
SHW:MSW and 30:70 SHW:MSW compost mixtures. Results revealed that compost with
slaughterhouse waste is an effective organic fertiliser for test crops. The nutrients lacking in
compost made of MSW can only be improved as high quality fertilizer by adding SHW.
However, compost made of MSW and SHW alone is not suitable for planting crops and need to
be made usable by mixing with soil.
