title: Co-composting of vegetable wastes and carton: Effect of carton composition and parameter variations.
abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of carton in the composting process of mixed vegetable wastes using an experimental composter of capacity 80L. Three different mixes were set-up (Mixes 1, 2 and 3) which consisted of vegetable wastes, 2.0kg paper and bulking agents, vegetable wastes, 1.5kg carton and bulking agents, vegetable wastes, 4.5kg carton and bulking agents, respectively. Temperature evolution, pH trends, moisture levels, respiration rates, percentage volatile solids and electrical conductivity were monitored for a period of 50days. The system remained under thermophilic conditions for a very short period due to the small size of the reactor. The three mixes did not exceed a temperature of 55°C, where sanitization takes place by the destruction of pathogens. The highest peak of CO2evolution was observed in Mix 2 indicating that maximum microbial degradation took place in that mix.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Mauritius, Reduit 80837, Mauritius.
authors.forename: Soonita Anjeena
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Rawoteea
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Mauritius, Reduit 80837, Mauritius.
authors.forename: Ackmez
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mudhoo
authors.affiliation: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur 440 020, India. Electronic address: s_kumar@neeri.res.in.
authors.forename: Sunil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000332:Aerobiosis; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001937:Brassica / Q000254:growth & development; D002645:Chickens; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D018525:Germination; D006813:Humidity; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010316:Particle Size; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D012987:Soil; D013696:Temperature; D014675:Vegetables / Q000737:chemistry*; D014835:Volatilization; D014866:Waste Products; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D014866:Waste Products; D014867:Water
keywords: Carton; Reactor composting; Temperature; Vegetable wastes