Food Science and Agriculture: Research Highlights Vol. 4

Management of kitchen waste is a critical issue affecting both rural and urban areas, with significant daily generation posing environmental threats and resource overexploitation. Proper disposal is essential; thus, composting emerges as a prime solution. It is eco-friendly, cost-effective, and socially acceptable, offering a sustainable way to handle waste while benefiting the environment. Composting is the biological decomposition of organic kitchen waste by microorganisms with air and moisture, resulting in nutrient-rich compost for plants. Composting begins by separating degradable kitchen wastes from non-degradable materials like paper, plastics, metals, and harmful items such as meat, fish, and dairy products. Composting is then conducted in a large earthen pot with holes using a standard method. Compost materials serve as effective alternatives to chemical fertilisers, enhancing soil fertility and health while providing organic matter and nutrients, and promoting employment and rural development through composting technology. The chapter describes the importance of composting and its method for managing kitchen waste, promoting environmental conservation and soil health.