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Microbial-Assisted Decentralized Composting of Kitchen Waste: A Comparative Evaluation of Synthetic and Indigenous Inoculant Systems
Abstract
The increasing volume of kitchen waste at the domestic level requires easy, sustainable management methods that can be applied at the point of origin. This paper discusses the performance of aerobic bin composting using two microbial inoculants, namely, DECOM 5B and Jeevamrut, to gain insight into how they can improve the decomposition process. The composting system was tested by observing key physicochemical changes, including temperature changes, moisture loss, and pH stabilization over time.
Both systems performed well in transforming organic waste to stabilized compost but there were variations in the rate and pattern of decomposition. The system based on Jeevamrut demonstrated relatively rapid evolution, indicating greater microbial activity, whereas the system based on DECOM 5B demonstrated slower, more controlled evolution. The input waste was well balanced in terms of nutrients, which sustained microbial activity during the process.
The results indicate that incorporating microbial inoculants may enhance the performance of small-scale composting systems and help produce mature compost more quickly. These methods can be viable solutions for the decentralized management of organic waste and the recovery of resources.
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