Sustainable solutions are required to address the growing problem of solid waste management (SWM) in urban areas, especially in developing countries. The objective of this study is to treat organic solid waste (OSW) from academic institutions by investigating the design and development of an effective pilot plant for aerated windrow composting. The research looks on turning food waste from campus canteens into nutrient-rich compost at the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Karachi. Under carefully monitored circumstances, the aerobic aerated windrow composting process optimized critical parameters like temperature, moisture content, pH, and the carbon-to-nitrogen (C: N) ratio. Microbial activity produced a notable reduction in trash volume over the course of the 60-day composting period. The finished compost had a (C: N) ratio of 30.3:1 and an ideal organic content of 58%. The thermophilic phase was successful, as seen by temperature profiles, peaking at 65°C and facilitating efficient pathogen elimination and nutrient stabilization. Acceptable amounts of potassium (1.44%), phosphorus (1.3%), and nitrogen (1.1%) were found in the laboratory, along with a pH of 8.5. These findings highlight the promise of aerated windrow composting as an economical and green way to handle urban garbage in tropical regions. The study concludes that implementing such composting systems in academic institutions can significantly mitigate the environmental impact of OSW. This research provides critical insights for policymakers and environmental engineers, supporting the development of large-scale composting initiatives to address waste management challenges in Karachi and similar urban environments.
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Sadaf Rani,
sadafrani015@gmail.com,
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Karachi, Karachi-,
Pakistan.
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Haroon Khan,
,
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Karachi, Karachi-,
Pakistan.
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Usama Abid,
,
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Karachi, Karachi-,
Pakistan.
Sadaf Rani Haroon Khan Usama Abid “Pilot Design of Aerated Windrow Composting by Green Waste: A Step towards Sustainab Vol. 11 Issue 12 PP. 210-217 December 2024. https://doi.org/10.34259/ijew.24.1112210217.
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, Haroon Khan, Usama Abid
