Windrow composting - an integrated approach for solid waste management

Food waste, a billion-ton global problem, was responsible for a third of global anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions. The low stigma to food waste conversely results in India discarding 68.8 million tonnes in landfills and comes third after China and USA in total GHGs emission. The present study was the pioneer attempt to study the effects of intermittent aeration and membrane covered aerobic windrows to monitor the physico-chemical parameters (temperature, moisture content, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), C:N ratio). This system with bottom up aeration system due to bricklined grass layer (bulking agent) and cover membrane, was conductive in maintaining micro-positive pressure in windrows and making piles aerobic, and odourless.