Resource Recovery from Municipal Waste and Bio Solids (Digestate) Through Vermicomposting: A Waste Management Initiative

In this study, municipal waste and anaerobic digestate (bio solids) were co-vermicomposted in a bid to properly manage waste at disposal sites. Municipal waste and bio solids in the ratio 2:1 were vermicomposted in a vermireactor for 45 days. Process parameters such as moisture, temperature and pH as well as the nutrient composition in terms of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (NPK) content of the vermicompost were closely monitored. Approximately 250 Eisenia Foetida, a species of the red worms was used as the vermicomposting inoculants. After the 45 days, a rich vermicompost with an NPK composition of 6.18%, 3.27% and 8.26% respectively. The optimum conditions for producing this vermicompost were moisture content>27%, temperature >18.6% and neutral pH. An addition of the bio solids to municipal waste during vermicomposting adds value to the nutritional composition of the vermicompost.