EVALUATION OF COMPOSTING CPU BIOMASS WASTES USING THE WIRE MESH CIRCULAR COMPOST BIN WITH COMPOST ACTIVATOR

By Aries Roda D. Romallosa, PAE, Alexis T. Belonio, PAE, and Aurora A. Lim, ChE

 ABSTRACT

 The aim of the study was to evaluate the composting of biomass wastes generated within the campus of CPU using a wire circular compost bin with the addition of compost activator.  Three test runs were conducted wherein the shredded biomass wastes were mixed with poultry manure and sawdust at a 3:1 ratio while being sprayed with compost activator until the desired moisture was attained.  The mixed materials were then loaded in the bin and were covered completely with plastic sheets except at the bottom to preserve the heat needed for decomposition.  Results of the evaluation show that composting of CPU biomass wastes using the circular bin can produce an average of 276.33 kg of compost after the 60-day operation.  Further analysis revealed that the compost material has an average composting rate of 0.828 cm/day and the volume of the compost material in the bin was reduced to an average of 55.79%.  Furthermore, the average amount of nitrogen and phosphorus, and pH analyzed were 1.20 and 1.28% and 8.4, respectively.