Technical Evaluation of Waste Composting Plant

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the municipal solid waste composting plant which is implemented in Lebanon with a capacity of 300 tons per day of organic material. Samples from the compost produced were analyzed in the laboratory to check for quality assurance where standards for physical properties were set for this composting plant. Based on the results obtained, the moisture content was higher than the required limit. Therefore, review of the bottlenecks of the composting process should be made to improve the quality of the compost. The generated leachate during the fermentation and maturation processes is treated. The technique is based on biological treatment by aeration and physical / chemical treatment by flocculation and coagulation. The results indicate that the effluent quality is not meeting the original design parameters and the treatment process is ineffective. Therefore, a new plan for another process is needed. It can be concluded that composting of municipal solid waste can present more than 50% reduction of the total amount of solid waste generated. Moreover, apart from effecting resource recovery and reduced cost of ultimate disposal, to utilize MSW compost in the country, market-driven standards and regulations should be met.