Guwahati: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) is all set to assist the municipal corporation in managing organic waste as a waste management research group led by Professor Ajay S Kalamdhad has developed a new approach to managing such waste.

According to an official release, the novel two-stage biodegradation technique combines rotary drum composting with vermicomposting (RDVC). This results in an efficient and environment-friendly process and enables municipal corporations to derive value-added products from organic waste. This technique was also used to produce nutrient-rich soil conditioners from invasive aquatic weeds like the water hyacinth.

Municipal solid waste deposited in open dumpsites often contains over 50 percent organic material, generating substantial heat due to long-term decomposition. This not only poses environmental challenges but also hinders the achievement of sustainable development goals. 

Compared to other waste biodegradation techniques that take 2-3 months, Rotary Drum Composting (RDC) can convert diverse organic feedstocks into nutrient-dense compost within 20 days and significantly reduce the municipal waste volume by 60-70 percent.

However, the limitation of RDC is inferior compost quality. Vermicomposting is a superior biodegradation process that traditionally requires a minimum of 60 days, making the process less adaptable for urban municipal corporations.

Speaking about its application, Professor Kalamdhad said, ”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 successfully produced 100 to 150 kg of vermicompost within a month from 250 to 300 kg of daily waste fed. The increased earthworm count resulted in the secondary end product being the earthworm itself. 

The study's findings have been published in multiple research papers in the Journal of Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, Journal of Environmental Management, Bioresource Technology, and Waste Management among others. They have been co-authored by Suryateja Pottipati and Professor Kalamdhad.

The innovative process introduced by the Waste Management Research Group at IIT Guwahati has the potential to reshape organic waste treatment facilities globally, providing an environmentally compatible solution to mitigate contamination hazards and produce an outstanding soil conditioner.

To reach potential customers, this novel two-stage composting technology has been transferred to The Apshisht Management and Environmental Research Pvt. Ltd. (AMER technologies), a company based in the IIT Guwahati incubation center and the product is being produced on a large scale. The produced product has been marketed as Mati Dhan Organic Vermicompost Fertilizer Manure for Plants on Amazon and INDIAMART.

ALSO READ: Nagaland minister Kaito unveils key projects in Kiphire district