Rice straw is considered as one of the most important agricultural residues and represented as one of the major by-products from rice production process. Normally, rice straw that produced after harvesting season been directly burned on-farm. Conversion of rice straw into value added compost will improve the productivity of plant, reduction of pollution towards environment and reduction of local pollution due to open burning activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of composting rice straw ash (RSA) with food waste (FW) and effective microorganisms (EM) in term of the compost quality (pH, temperature, moisture content). RSA was prepared by burning the raw rice straw at three different temperature of 300°C, 400°C and 500°C for one hour. EM used during the composting process was prepared by mixing of brown sugar, ‘tempe’ and water that can be used after one week of fermentation process. There are four treatments of RSA-compost; RSA (300°C), RSA (400°C), RSA (500°C) and control (raw rice straw) with the same amount of compost medium; 1kg black soil, 0.5kg RSA, 3L EM and 1kg FW. The composting process happens for 30 days. During the composting process, all the parameters of RSA-compost obtained in a range like; pH value 8-10, temperature 20-50°C and moisture content 40-60%. The result showed that all compost quality of rice straw ash compost obtained in an acceptable range for final compost to establish.

The most common environmental problems in Malaysia is increasing in solid waste generation. Solid waste generation and composition knowledge is compulsory as a benchmark for the decision making in managing municipal solid waste management strategy. The objective of this study was to measure solid waste generation and compare solid waste composition at cafeterias of UniMAP. Three different cafeterias had been chosen as a sampling location. Waste was sorted out into several components such as food waste, plastic, papers, metal, glass, and other types of waste. There is significance difference in data collection between the three locations where the organic waste was the main component in waste composition. Solid waste sampling and laboratory analysis were carried out based on random sampling method by using American Standard Test Method (ASTM) standards for proximate analysis (moisture content, ash content, volatile matter and fixed carbon). Ultimate analysis which is C:N ratio was carried out. Results showed that total municipal solid waste generated during two weeks of collection at School of Manufacturing, Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Residential College (PFI 2) and Tan Sri Aisyah Ghani Residential College (KKTAG) were 459.9 kg (0.1452 kg/p/day), 709.0 kg (0.0292 kg/p/day) and 201.90 kg (0.0163 kg/p/day). Based on this information, a proper waste management can be introduced to treat organic waste such as food waste and paper including inorganic waste efficiently.

Composting of Garden Waste using Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO) as Organic Additive

Nitrogen-rich components are crucial to achieving successful composting. The problem lies in the lack of comprehensive understanding and evaluation of the performance of different nitrogen-rich components used in composting food waste. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of nitrogen-rich components (NRC) (cow dung, tea leaves, and coffee ground) for composting food waste in terms of compost quality (temperature, moisture content, nutrients content, and plant growth height). The materials used in composting are 1kg of NRC, 1kg of black soil, 1kg of rice husk, 2kg of food waste, and 1 L of Takakura EM in every compost bin. A total of 4 composts were examined, such as compost A (cow dung), B (coffee ground), C (tea leaves), and D (blank). During the composting process, all parameters of the compost were examined, and data collected. Firstly, total nitrogen (N) content results for compost A, B, C, and D are 1.2%, 1.6%, 3%, and 0.7%, respectively, whereas total phosphorus (P) content in compost A, B, C, and D is 3.7 mg/L, 3.8 mg/L, 5 mg/L, and 3.01 mg/L. Lastly, the potassium (K) content in compost A, B, C, and D is 4.56 mg/L, 4.1 mg/L, 5.13 mg/L, and 4.6 mg/L, respectively. Based on the data analysis, Compost C is the most effective compost compared to other NRC compost.