Composting – A Solution to the Industrial Solid Waste Management

Abstract

Environmental pollution is the major problems associated with rapid industrialization, urbanization and rise in living standards for people. Gelatin industry solid waste contains plant nutrients and organic matter, which could enhance the availability of nutrients, enrich the soil organic matter and ultimately increase the crop growth. Hence, the study was conducted to convert gelatin industry solid waste with nutrient-rich materials such as cow dung, poultry waste and coir pith with microbial cultures for the production of nutrient-rich value-added manure. Composting of GISW along with coir pith, cow dung and poultry waste recorded the desirable C/N ratio of 12.4:1 and highest nutrient contents (1.85, 3.85 and 1.24% of N, P and K, respectively). Also, the composted gelatin industry solid waste (CGISW) was subjected to various maturity tests and phytotoxicity assay.  The indiscriminate disposal and accumulation of solid wastes generated by gelatin manufacturing industries are the cause for concern. Hence an attempt has been made to convert these gelatin industry solid wastes (GISW) into bio-manure by blending with other organic wastes such as poultry waste, coir pith and cow dung with suitable microorganisms.