Improvement of two-stage composting of green waste by addition of eggshell waste and rice husks. Issue 1 (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Wei; Zhang, Lu; Sun, Xiangyang
• Is Part Of: Bioscience reports. Volume 30:Issue 1(2010)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Compost product -- Composting temperature -- Humification -- Nitrogen changes -- Phytotoxicity; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; 572.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124388
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8463

Abstract

Highlights: GW (e.g., branch cuttings and leaves) was generated by urban landscape maintenance. By optimizing compost properties, ESW and RH addition accelerated GW decomposition. ESW and RH addition enhanced the degradation and the humification of GW. Two-stage composting attained twice thermophilic periods and last for a long time. Combination of 10% ESW and 25% RH reduced the GW composting period to 21 days. Abstract: With the development of urban greening and increases in the human population, the production of green waste (GW) has been increasing in China. Although GW is biodegradable, its composting is difficult because of its low degradation rate. This study focuses on how addition of eggshell waste (ESW; at 0, 10, and 20%) and/or rice husks (RH; at 0, 15, and 25%) affects the two-stage composting of GW on the basis of temperature, bulk density, particle-size distribution, pH, nitrogen changes, carbon dioxide emission, organic matter degradation, humic substances, the activities of microorganisms and enzymes, and the phytotoxicity to germinating seeds. The combined addition of 10% ESW and 25% RH produced the highest quality compost in the shortest time. To produce a stable and mature product, two-stage composting of GW required 30 days without additives but only 20 days with the combined addition of 10% ESW and 25% RH.