THE ORGANIC WASTE STABILIZATION PROCESS: COMPOSTING VERSUS VERMICOMPOSTING

Two processes are used to stabilize organic wastes: composting and vermicomposting. There are no studies in the literature showing which process is most effective over the short term. In this study, 3 organic wastes were composted and vermicomposted for 90 days, and the parameters pH, effective cation exchange capacity, total organic carbon, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, P-total, E-4/E-6 ratio, hydrophobicity and aromaticity indexes were determined. In all experiments, vermicomposted materials showed higher stability, proving a superior tool for stabilization of these organic wastes.