Abstract

In urine-diverting toilets, urine and faeces are collected separately so that nutrient content can be recycled unmixed. Faeces should be sanitised before use in agriculture fields due to the presence of possible enteric pathogens. Composting of human faeces with food waste was evaluated as a possible method for this treatment. Temperatures were monitored in three 78-L wooden compost reactors fed with faeces-to-food waste substrates (F:FW) in wet weight ratios of 1:0, 3:1 and 1:1, which were observed for approximately 20 days. To achieve temperatures higher than 15 degrees C above ambient, insulation was required for the reactors. Use of 25-mm thick styrofoam insulation around the entire exterior of the compost reactors and turning of the compost twice a week resulted in sanitising temperatures (>= 50 degrees C) to be maintained for 8 days in the F:FW =1:1 compost and for 4 days in the F:FW = 3:1 compost. In these composts, a reduction of > 3log(10) for E. coli and > 4log(10) for Enterococcus spp. was achieved. The F:FW = 1:0 compost, which did not maintain >= 50 degrees C for a sufficiently long period, was not sanitised, as the counts of E. coli and Enterococcus spp. increased between days 11 and 15. This research provides useful information on the design and operation of family-size compost units for the treatment of source-separated faeces and starchy food residues, most likely available amongst the less affluent rural/urban society in Uganda. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Published in

Waste Management
2009, Volume: 29, number: 2, pages: 585-589
Publisher: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

SLU Authors

• Niwagaba, Charles Buregeya

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Makerere University

• Vinnerås, Björn

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • National Veterinary Institute (SVA)

• Sundberg, Cecilia

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Jönsson, Håkan

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns


UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science
Other Environmental Engineering


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2008.06.022

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/52985