Pimpilas Nuntiphon. Mass reduction and composting performance of mixed banana and papaya peels waste by adding pig manure as an activator . Master's Degree(Environmental sanitation). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2007.
Mass reduction and composting performance of mixed banana and papaya peels waste by adding pig manure as an activator
Abstract:
The objectives of this research were to study the mass reduction efficiency of mixed
banana and papaya peels waste and compare physical and chemical properties of the end
product at different initial carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios (20:1, 30:1 and 40:1) with the
addition and non-addition of pig manure in the composting process. The study was designed
as a factorial experiment. It consisted of six experimental treatments with three replications
each. Treatments 1, 2 and 3 were the composting of mixed banana and papaya peels waste at
the initial C/N ratio 20:1, 30:1 and 40:1 without pig manure adding respectively. Treatments
4, 5 and 6 were the composting of mixed banana and papaya peels waste at the initial C/N
ratios 20:1, 30:1 and 40:1 with pig manure adding respectively.
The results showed that after 15 weeks of composting, the mass reduction efficiency
was more than 95% on average - while the highest percentage was found in Treatment 1
(99.41%). The physical and chemical properties of the end product were quite similar at the
different initial C/N ratios with both added and non-added pig manure. The end products met
the standard of good compost but those with no pig manure added needed pH adjustment and
phosphorus added before use as a fertilizer or soil amendment
The findings suggest that the composting of mixed banana and papaya peel waste can
be applied as a preliminary treatment to reduce the bulk space. Those products without added
pig manure had advantages in terms of cost and safety. Moreover, the end products without
added pig manure should used to improve soil quality and increase waste value as fertilizers
or soil amendments.