The Waste Management Research Group (WMRG) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati has devised a novel approach to aid municipal corporations in effectively managing organic waste.

According to an official statement, researchers have introduced a technique that combines Rotary Drum Composting (RDC) with Vermicomposting (RDVC). This innovative and eco-friendly process enables municipal corporations to extract value-added products from organic waste efficiently.

The deposition of municipal solid waste in open dumpsites frequently includes more than 50 percent organic materials, generating significant heat during prolonged decomposition. This not only presents environmental challenges but also impedes the attainment of sustainable development goals, as stated.

Unlike other waste biodegradation techniques, which typically take two to three months, Rotary Drum Composting (RDC) stands out by converting various organic feedstocks into nutrient-rich compost in just 20 days. This not only accelerates the process but also results in a substantial reduction of municipal waste volume by 60-70 percent.

However, the drawback of RDC lies in its lower compost quality. On the flip side, Vermicomposting is a superior biodegradation process, traditionally requiring a minimum of 60 days, making it less adaptable for urban municipal corporations. To address this, the Waste Management Research Group at IIT Guwahati has innovatively combined the strengths of both processes, creating a unique two-stage biodegradation strategy, as outlined in the statement.

Led by Prof. Ajay S Kalamdhad from IIT Guwahati, researchers optimized the Rotary Drum Composting (RDC) technique and integrated it with vermicomposting, reducing biodegradation time. Earthworms, specifically Eisenia fetida, produced vermicompost in just 27 days. Metagenomic analysis confirmed the non-toxic nature of the compost, which contains 4.2 percent total nitrogen. Experimentation in the laboratory and at the Solid Waste Laboratory of IIT Guwahati validated the effectiveness of this combined technique.

The findings of the study, co-authored by Suryateja Pottipati and Prof. Kalamdhad, have been disseminated through multiple research papers in journals such as the Journal of Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, Journal of Environmental Management, Bioresource Technology, and Waste Management.

In order to make the organic bioproducts accessible to end-users, the technology has been transferred to The Apshisht Management and Environmental Research Pvt Ltd, a company located in the IIT Guwahati incubation center. The product, branded as 'Mati Dhan Organic Vermicompost Fertilizer Manure for Plants,' is now available on online platforms such as Amazon and INDIAMART, according to the release.

Image source: North East News