Integrated Waste Management-Source Separation and Composting Of Household Waste in the Ayuom Farming Community in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region

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2013-12-17
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Waste generation cannot cease due to the existence and activities of man. In most rural communities, organic waste represents the highest fraction of the waste generated. With the adverse effect of improper handling and disposal of waste, it has become important to produce compost out of the organic fraction to reduce the waste that would have otherwise be deposited in the landfill. The aim if this study was to produce compost from source separated waste in the Ayuom farming community in the Bosomtwe district. Forty household were identified and given two dust bins each, one for the collection of organics and the other for the collection of inorganic waste. Waste was collected weekly, weighed, further separated and then the organic fraction was formed into piles. During composting, the piles were monitored for temperature, C:N ratio, pH and moisture. Data collected for eight weeks were subjected to graphical interpretations, percentage, mean and t-test The results showed that waste separation efficiency in the organic waste was 97% but that of the inorganic bin was 26.9%. The solid waste generated per capita per day was 0.22kg/day. The C:N ratio of the organic waste ranged between 14 - 16 but it was adjusted in some of the piles to determine the effect on the compost produced. Compost produced had a mean NPK content of 0.06, 0.12 and 0.35 respectively. From the study, the mean heavy metal content recorded for Nickel: 13.1, Chromium: 14.5, Mercury; 0.2, Lead 12.4, Zinc: 42.2 and Cadmium recording less than 1 for all the piles and they all fell within range as described in literature. Compost mixed with biochar and allowed to undergo incubation for 6weeks produced increase in nitrogen and phosphorus contents as well as potassium content but it was reduced with ratios of 50% compost 50% biochar and 25% compost 75% biochar III Waste sent to the landfill can be composted in order to complete the carbon cycle in the communities thus improving nutrient content by the application of compost. However it will be appropriate that during further studies the ratio is adjusted in order to create an optimal environment for the compost microorganisms which may affect the final qualities of the compost.
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A Thesis Submitted to the Department Of Materials Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree Of Master of Science In Environmental Resources Management, October-2013
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