Windrow composting: a viable option for the management and conversion of various agro- industrial organic wastes in Ethiopia
Article Main
Abstract
Windrow composting is a biotechnological process where microorganisms decompose and stabilize solid organic wastes under aerobic conditions, creating stable and odorless compost. This study investigates the composting of four frequently discarded municipal and industrial wastes (brewery sludge and solid waste from potato chips factory) around Debre Berhan city and Tulefa town, Ethiopia, examining the change in key physicochemical properties. Experimental wastes were blended with powdered cow dung in a 3:1 ratio and composted in four triangular-shaped piles using the windrow technique under shade. The original physicochemical characteristics of all wastes and the resulting final compost underwent analysis for temperature change, volume reduction, pH, total Kjeldhal nitrogen( TKN), total potassium( TK), total phosphorous( TP), total organic carbon (TOC), and carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N). All treatments (T1 = brewery sludge + cow dung, T2 = solid waste from potato chips factory + cow dung) demonstrated significant volume reduction, ranging from 60% to 70%. The final pH of the compost in all treatments shifted towards neutral (7-7.4). Additionally, all treatments achieved thermophilic temperatures within 15-28 days. The thermophilic phase persisted for 15 to 35 days across treatments, followed by a cooling phase that occurred between 49 and 77 days later. The cessation of further temperature rise was observed between 77 and 99 days. Across all windrows, significant changes were observed in key parameters such as TKN, TK.TP, TOC, and C:N ratio. These findings suggest that windrow composting is a viable alternative for effectively reducing substantial quantities of solid organic waste from residential areas and agro-processing industries, while also producing organic soil amendments that support sustainable agriculture.
Article Details
Article Details
Keywords
Compost, Cooling stage, Thermophilic temperature, Windrow composting
References
Alemayehu, E., & Gicha, Y. (2021). Physicochemical Evaluation of Composts Produced from Coffee Pulp and Some Locally Available Organic Matter at Dale District Ethiopia. Journal of Petroleum & Environmental Biotechnology, 6(12), 1-4. http://doi.org/10.35248/2157-7463.21.12.427
Awasthi, M. K., Sarsaiya, S., Wainaina, S., Rajendran, K., Kumar, S., Quan, W., Duan, Y., Awasthi, S. K., Chen, H., Pandey, A., Zhang, Z., Jain, A., & Taherzadeh, M. J. (2019). A critical review of organic manure biorefnery models toward sustainable circular bioeconomy: technological challenges, advancements, innovations, and future perspectives. Renewable Sustainability and Energy Review, 111, 115–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.05.017
Ayilara, M. S., Olanrewaju, O. S., Babalola, O. O., & Odeyemi, O. (2020). Waste Management through Composting: Challenges and Potentials. Sustainability, 12(11), 1-23. http://doi.org/10.3390/su12114456
Azim, K., Soudi, B., Boukhari, S., Perissol, C., Roussos, S., & Alami, I. T. (2018). Composting parameters and compost quality: A literature review. Organic Agriculture, 8, 141–158
Bremner, J. Bremner, J. M. and Mulvaney, R.G. (1982). Nitrogen total. In: Method of Soil Analysis, (pp. 575-624). American Society of Agronomy, Madison. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronmonogr9.2.2ed.c31
Carl, T., Ted, Y. A., Negasi, S., & Dzidzo, Y. T. (2019). Effect of the composting process on physicochemical properties and concentration of heavy metals in market waste with additive materials in the Ga West Municipality, Ghana. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 8(4), 393–403. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40093-019-0266-6
Chaher, N. E. H., Chakchouk, M., Nassour, A., Nelles, M., & Hamdi, M. (2020). Potential of windrow food and green waste composting in Tunisia. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(34), 46540-46552. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10264-7
Cuil, D., Xi, B., & Tan, W. (2023). Composting industry under the Chinese municipal solid waste sorting policy: challenges, opportunities, and directions. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(8), 19513–19519. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-25367-0
Dominguez, M., Nunez, R. P., Pineiro, J., & Barral, M. T. (2019). Physicochemical and biochemical properties of an acid soil under potato culture amended with municipal solid waste compost. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 8(2), 171–178. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40093-019-0246-x
Finore, I., Feola, A., Russo, L., Cattaneo, A., Di Donato, P., Nicolaus, B., Poli, A., & Romano, I. (2023). Thermophilic bacteria and their termozymes in composting process: review. Chemical and Biological Technologies In Agriculture, 10(7): 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-023-00381-z
Hashim, S., Waqas, M., Ramesh, P., Rudra, R. P., Khan, A. A., Mirani, A. A., Sultan, T., Ehsan, F., Abid, M., & Saifullah, M. (2022). On-Farm Composting of Agricultural Waste Materials for Sustainable Agriculture in Pakistan. Scientifica, 2022, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8950385
Huang, G.F., Wong. J.W.C., Wu, Q.T. & Nagar, B.B.(2004). Effect of C/N on composting of pig manure with sawdust. Waste Management, 24, 805-813. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2004.04.007
Khan, M.A.I., Ueno K., Horimoto S., Komai F., Tanaka K. & Ono. Y.(2009). Physicochemical, including spectroscopic and biological analyses during composting of green tea waste and rice bran. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 45, 305–313. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-008-0324-2
Lalremruatil, M., & Devi, A. S. (2023). Duration of Composting and Changes in Temperature, pH and C/N Ratio during Composting: A Review. Agricultural Reviews, 44(3), 350-356. https://doi.org/10.18805/ag.R-2197
Milkiyas, P., & Timar, P. M. (2019). Industrial Wastes and Their Management Challenges in Ethiopia. Chemistry and Materials Research, 11(8), 1-6. http://doi.org/10.7176/cmr/11-8-0
Moubarecka, C. A., Alawlaqi, B., & Alhajeri, S. (2023). Characterization of physicochemical parameters and bacterial diversity of composted organic food wastes in Dubai. Heliyon, 9(6): 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e09085
Muthukumaravel, K., Amsath, A., & Sukumaran, M. (2008). Vermicomposting vegetable waste using cow dung. Electronic Journal of Chemistry, 5, 810-813. https://doi.org/10.1155/2008/615184
Nelson, D. W., & Sommer, L. E. (1982). Total carbon and organic carbon and organic matter. Page A.L.; Miller R.H. & Keeney D.R.; Eds., 539-579. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronmonogr9.2.2ed.c29
Oljira, T., Muleta, D. and Jida, M. (2018). Potential applications of some indigenous bacteria isolated from polluted areas in the treatment of brewery effluents. Biotechnology Research International, 2018, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9745198
Palaniveloo, K., Amran, M. Z., Norhashim, N. A., Mohamad-Fauzi, N., Peng-Hui, F., Hui-Wen, L., Kai-Lin, Y., Jiale, L., Chian-Yee, M. G., Jing-Yi, L., Gunasekaran, B., & Abdul Razak, S. (2020). Food Waste Composting and Microbial Community Structure Profiling. Processes, 8, 1-30. http://doi.org/10.3390/pr8060723
Raza, S., Munir, N., Naz, S., Amen, A. (2017). Effect of pH during compost of municipal waste. Pakistan Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, 60, 114-116. https://doi.org/10.52763/PJSIR.PHYS.SCI.60.2.2017.114.116
Sakarika, M., Spiller, M., Baetens, R., Donies, G., Vanderstuyf, J., Vinck, K., Vrancken, K. C., Barel, G., Du Bois, E., & Vlaeminck, S. E. (2019). Proof of concept of high-rate decentralized pre-composting of kitchen waste: Optimizing design and operation of a novel drum reactor. Waste Management, 91(1), 20–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2019.04.049
Sayara, T., Basheer-Salimia, R., Hawamde, F., & Sanchez, A. (2020). Recycling of Organic Wastes through Composting: Process Performance and Compost Application in Agriculture. Agronomy, 10(11), 1-23 https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10010001
Shah, G. M., Tufail, N., Bakhat, H. F., Ahmad, I., Shahid, M., Hammad, H., Nasin, W., Waqar, A., Rizwan, M., & Dong, R. (2019). Composting of municipal waste by different methods improved the growth of vegetables and reduced Health risks of cadmium and lead. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26(6), 5463-5474. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3334-0
Shiyu, X., Huu-Tuan, T., Mingjun, P., & Tao, Z. (2023). Transformation characteristics of organic matter and phosphorus in composting processes of agricultural organic waste. Research trends. Material science for energy technologies, 6, 331-342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mset.2023.02.006
Soumare M., Demeyer A., Tack F.M.G., and Verloo, M.G.(2002). Chemical characteristics of Malian and Belgian solid waste composts. Bioresource. Technology, 81, 97–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-8524(01)00107-8
Tadesse, T., Haque, I., & Aduayi, E. A. (1991). WORKING DOCUMENT: soil, plant, water, fertilizer, animal manure & compost analysis manual. 1991. Available from: https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/4448 ILCA. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40093-019-0266-6
Tibu, C., Annang, T. Y., Solomon, N., & Yirenya-Tawiah, D. (2019). Effect of the composting process on physicochemical properties and concentration of heavy metals in market waste with additive materials in the Ga West Municipality, Ghana. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 8, 393–403
Viaene, J., Lancker, J. V., Vandecasteele, B., Willekens, K., Bijttebier, J., Rruysschaert, G., De Neve, S., & Reubens, B. (2016). Opportunities and barriers to on-farm composting and compost application: a case study from northwestern Europe. Waste Management, 48, 181–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2015.10.026
Yu, H., Xie, B., Khan, R., & Shen, G. (2019). The changes in carbon, nitrogen components and humic substances during organic-inorganic aerobic co-composting. Bioresource Technology, 271, 228–235.https://doi.org/10. 1016/j.biortech.2018.09.088
Zakarya, I. A., Muniandy, S., Izhar, T. N. T., Nasir, N. A. N., Mohamad, M., & Tudor, G. (2023). Performance on Nitrogen Rich Component for Composting of Food Waste. E3S Web of Conferences. 2023. 437: 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202343704003
Zhao, X., Li, J., Yuan, H., Che, Z., & Xue, L. (2023). Dynamics of Bacterial Diversity and Functions with Physicochemical properties in different phases of pig manure composting. Biology, 12(9), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/ biology12091197
Zorpas, A.A., Arapoglou, D., Panagiotis, K.(2003). Waste paper and clinoptilolite as a bulking material with dewatered an aerobically stabilized primary sewage sludge (DASPSS) for compost production. Waste Management, 23, 27–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0956-053X(02)00111-1.
Awasthi, M. K., Sarsaiya, S., Wainaina, S., Rajendran, K., Kumar, S., Quan, W., Duan, Y., Awasthi, S. K., Chen, H., Pandey, A., Zhang, Z., Jain, A., & Taherzadeh, M. J. (2019). A critical review of organic manure biorefnery models toward sustainable circular bioeconomy: technological challenges, advancements, innovations, and future perspectives. Renewable Sustainability and Energy Review, 111, 115–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.05.017
Ayilara, M. S., Olanrewaju, O. S., Babalola, O. O., & Odeyemi, O. (2020). Waste Management through Composting: Challenges and Potentials. Sustainability, 12(11), 1-23. http://doi.org/10.3390/su12114456
Azim, K., Soudi, B., Boukhari, S., Perissol, C., Roussos, S., & Alami, I. T. (2018). Composting parameters and compost quality: A literature review. Organic Agriculture, 8, 141–158
Bremner, J. Bremner, J. M. and Mulvaney, R.G. (1982). Nitrogen total. In: Method of Soil Analysis, (pp. 575-624). American Society of Agronomy, Madison. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronmonogr9.2.2ed.c31
Carl, T., Ted, Y. A., Negasi, S., & Dzidzo, Y. T. (2019). Effect of the composting process on physicochemical properties and concentration of heavy metals in market waste with additive materials in the Ga West Municipality, Ghana. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 8(4), 393–403. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40093-019-0266-6
Chaher, N. E. H., Chakchouk, M., Nassour, A., Nelles, M., & Hamdi, M. (2020). Potential of windrow food and green waste composting in Tunisia. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(34), 46540-46552. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10264-7
Cuil, D., Xi, B., & Tan, W. (2023). Composting industry under the Chinese municipal solid waste sorting policy: challenges, opportunities, and directions. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(8), 19513–19519. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-25367-0
Dominguez, M., Nunez, R. P., Pineiro, J., & Barral, M. T. (2019). Physicochemical and biochemical properties of an acid soil under potato culture amended with municipal solid waste compost. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 8(2), 171–178. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40093-019-0246-x
Finore, I., Feola, A., Russo, L., Cattaneo, A., Di Donato, P., Nicolaus, B., Poli, A., & Romano, I. (2023). Thermophilic bacteria and their termozymes in composting process: review. Chemical and Biological Technologies In Agriculture, 10(7): 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-023-00381-z
Hashim, S., Waqas, M., Ramesh, P., Rudra, R. P., Khan, A. A., Mirani, A. A., Sultan, T., Ehsan, F., Abid, M., & Saifullah, M. (2022). On-Farm Composting of Agricultural Waste Materials for Sustainable Agriculture in Pakistan. Scientifica, 2022, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8950385
Huang, G.F., Wong. J.W.C., Wu, Q.T. & Nagar, B.B.(2004). Effect of C/N on composting of pig manure with sawdust. Waste Management, 24, 805-813. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2004.04.007
Khan, M.A.I., Ueno K., Horimoto S., Komai F., Tanaka K. & Ono. Y.(2009). Physicochemical, including spectroscopic and biological analyses during composting of green tea waste and rice bran. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 45, 305–313. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-008-0324-2
Lalremruatil, M., & Devi, A. S. (2023). Duration of Composting and Changes in Temperature, pH and C/N Ratio during Composting: A Review. Agricultural Reviews, 44(3), 350-356. https://doi.org/10.18805/ag.R-2197
Milkiyas, P., & Timar, P. M. (2019). Industrial Wastes and Their Management Challenges in Ethiopia. Chemistry and Materials Research, 11(8), 1-6. http://doi.org/10.7176/cmr/11-8-0
Moubarecka, C. A., Alawlaqi, B., & Alhajeri, S. (2023). Characterization of physicochemical parameters and bacterial diversity of composted organic food wastes in Dubai. Heliyon, 9(6): 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e09085
Muthukumaravel, K., Amsath, A., & Sukumaran, M. (2008). Vermicomposting vegetable waste using cow dung. Electronic Journal of Chemistry, 5, 810-813. https://doi.org/10.1155/2008/615184
Nelson, D. W., & Sommer, L. E. (1982). Total carbon and organic carbon and organic matter. Page A.L.; Miller R.H. & Keeney D.R.; Eds., 539-579. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronmonogr9.2.2ed.c29
Oljira, T., Muleta, D. and Jida, M. (2018). Potential applications of some indigenous bacteria isolated from polluted areas in the treatment of brewery effluents. Biotechnology Research International, 2018, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9745198
Palaniveloo, K., Amran, M. Z., Norhashim, N. A., Mohamad-Fauzi, N., Peng-Hui, F., Hui-Wen, L., Kai-Lin, Y., Jiale, L., Chian-Yee, M. G., Jing-Yi, L., Gunasekaran, B., & Abdul Razak, S. (2020). Food Waste Composting and Microbial Community Structure Profiling. Processes, 8, 1-30. http://doi.org/10.3390/pr8060723
Raza, S., Munir, N., Naz, S., Amen, A. (2017). Effect of pH during compost of municipal waste. Pakistan Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, 60, 114-116. https://doi.org/10.52763/PJSIR.PHYS.SCI.60.2.2017.114.116
Sakarika, M., Spiller, M., Baetens, R., Donies, G., Vanderstuyf, J., Vinck, K., Vrancken, K. C., Barel, G., Du Bois, E., & Vlaeminck, S. E. (2019). Proof of concept of high-rate decentralized pre-composting of kitchen waste: Optimizing design and operation of a novel drum reactor. Waste Management, 91(1), 20–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2019.04.049
Sayara, T., Basheer-Salimia, R., Hawamde, F., & Sanchez, A. (2020). Recycling of Organic Wastes through Composting: Process Performance and Compost Application in Agriculture. Agronomy, 10(11), 1-23 https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10010001
Shah, G. M., Tufail, N., Bakhat, H. F., Ahmad, I., Shahid, M., Hammad, H., Nasin, W., Waqar, A., Rizwan, M., & Dong, R. (2019). Composting of municipal waste by different methods improved the growth of vegetables and reduced Health risks of cadmium and lead. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26(6), 5463-5474. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3334-0
Shiyu, X., Huu-Tuan, T., Mingjun, P., & Tao, Z. (2023). Transformation characteristics of organic matter and phosphorus in composting processes of agricultural organic waste. Research trends. Material science for energy technologies, 6, 331-342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mset.2023.02.006
Soumare M., Demeyer A., Tack F.M.G., and Verloo, M.G.(2002). Chemical characteristics of Malian and Belgian solid waste composts. Bioresource. Technology, 81, 97–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-8524(01)00107-8
Tadesse, T., Haque, I., & Aduayi, E. A. (1991). WORKING DOCUMENT: soil, plant, water, fertilizer, animal manure & compost analysis manual. 1991. Available from: https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/4448 ILCA. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40093-019-0266-6
Tibu, C., Annang, T. Y., Solomon, N., & Yirenya-Tawiah, D. (2019). Effect of the composting process on physicochemical properties and concentration of heavy metals in market waste with additive materials in the Ga West Municipality, Ghana. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 8, 393–403
Viaene, J., Lancker, J. V., Vandecasteele, B., Willekens, K., Bijttebier, J., Rruysschaert, G., De Neve, S., & Reubens, B. (2016). Opportunities and barriers to on-farm composting and compost application: a case study from northwestern Europe. Waste Management, 48, 181–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2015.10.026
Yu, H., Xie, B., Khan, R., & Shen, G. (2019). The changes in carbon, nitrogen components and humic substances during organic-inorganic aerobic co-composting. Bioresource Technology, 271, 228–235.https://doi.org/10. 1016/j.biortech.2018.09.088
Zakarya, I. A., Muniandy, S., Izhar, T. N. T., Nasir, N. A. N., Mohamad, M., & Tudor, G. (2023). Performance on Nitrogen Rich Component for Composting of Food Waste. E3S Web of Conferences. 2023. 437: 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202343704003
Zhao, X., Li, J., Yuan, H., Che, Z., & Xue, L. (2023). Dynamics of Bacterial Diversity and Functions with Physicochemical properties in different phases of pig manure composting. Biology, 12(9), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/ biology12091197
Zorpas, A.A., Arapoglou, D., Panagiotis, K.(2003). Waste paper and clinoptilolite as a bulking material with dewatered an aerobically stabilized primary sewage sludge (DASPSS) for compost production. Waste Management, 23, 27–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0956-053X(02)00111-1.
Issue
Section
Research Articles
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) © Author (s)
How to Cite
Windrow composting: a viable option for the management and conversion of various agro- industrial organic wastes in Ethiopia. (2025). Journal of Applied and Natural Science, 17(2), 671-676. https://doi.org/10.31018/jans.v17i2.6310
