USE OF GRASS CLIPPINGS ENHANCES THE MATURITY AND STABILITY OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE INTO COMPOST

Abstract

More than thirteen thousand metric ton of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is generated each day in Bangladesh currently where only 37% are collected by the authority. Experts predict that more than 47 Metric ton of MSW will be generated by 78 million of urban people by in 2020. So the management of MSW is and will be one of the major challenges of Municipal Authority of Bangladesh. Improper management of municipal solid waste (MSW) causes hazards to inhabitants. Various studies reveal that about 90% of MSW is disposed of unscientifically in open dumps and landfills, creating problems to public health and the environment. Bioconversion of MSW can be a better alternative to avoid environmental pollution. But the decomposition of MSW is not the best way for compost preparation. Grass Clippings (GC) at optimum level can help promote the compost process in more effective way. Optimum amount of GC along with optimum level of cow dung (CD) for the compost preparation from MSW are critically studied. In this study, MSW amended with bulking materials GC and nitrogen source cow dung (CD) were evaluated for improved stability and maturity during composting of MSW where 15 kg GC and 5 kg of CD showed the most promising efficiency in terms of physical, and chemical parameters. The study is concluded with a few fruitful suggestions that is use of other lignocellulosic materials like water hyacinth and herbaceous weeds can also be used instead of grass clippings which may be beneficial to encourage the competent authorities/researchers to work towards further improvement of the present system.