Vermitechnology for Organic Waste Recycling

Abstract

The disposal and management of solid wastes is a technical and ecological challenge throughout the globe because of their quantities and heterogeneous nature. Vermicomposting is one of the most ecologically and economically sound technologies for handling the biodegradable organic fraction of solid wastes. A large variety of such wastes of plant and animal origins can be gainfully vermicomposted at different scales varying from a household bin to a city level. Vermicompost also has excellent manurial properties as a soil conditioner and fertilizer, being a source of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients for plants. These virtues make vermicomposting a good option for processing the enormous quantities of biodegradable organic solid wastes that are generated in huge quantities. In this chapter, a review of the state of the art of vermicomposting technology is presented, including the process, various stages, characteristics, and benefits of vermicompost. ? 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.