GUWAHATI: Researchers from the Waste Management Research Group (WMRG) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, have unveiled a groundbreaking approach to revolutionise organic waste management by municipal corporations.
The team, led by Prof. Ajay S. Kalamdhad, developed the novel technique, a two-stage biodegradation process known as Rotary Drum Composting with Vermicomposting (RDVC).
The innovative RDVC technique combines the efficiency of Rotary Drum Composting (RDC), which can convert diverse organic feedstocks into nutrient-dense compost within just 20 days, with the superiority of Vermicomposting.
This combination results in a swift 27-day biodegradation process that reduces waste volume by 60-70%.
“We optimised the RDC technique and combined it with vermicomposting to reduce the duration of biodegradation. Earthworms, specifically Eisenia fetida, acclimatise faster to partially degraded organic matter, producing vermicompost in just 27 days,” said Prof Kalamdhad through a statement issued by IIT Guwahati
The microbial composition of the compost underwent metagenomic analysis, confirming its non-toxicity and safety as a nutrient-rich soil conditioner (4.2% total nitrogen).
The successful experimental verification took place both in the laboratory and on a large scale at IIT Guwahati’s Solid Waste Laboratory.
Prof. Kalamdhad highlighted the wide application of this technique, stating, “This proven technique not only handles sizable quantities of organic waste but also offers immediate application feasibility for municipal corporations, industries, sewage treatment facilities, aquatic weeds, and various organic waste management sectors.”
The scaled-up process, implemented in a 5000-litre RDC unit and a 3000-litre stack vermicomposting unit, produced 100 to 150 kg of vermicompost within a month from 250 to 300 kg of daily waste fed.
The study’s findings have been published in prestigious journals, including the Journal of Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery and Journal of Environmental Management, Bioresource Technology, and Waste Management.
The product, marketed as “Mati Dhan Organic Vermicompost Fertilizer Manure for Plants,” is now available on platforms like Amazon and INDIAMART, ensuring its accessibility to end-users.
