Characteristics of food waste composting with various particle sizes of sawdust

Sawdust is mainly used as a bulking agent with food waste for composting because of the advantages of absorbing water, providing porosity and adjusting C/N ratio. The objective of this study was to compare the composting properties in relation to the temperature, moisture content, nutrients and the compost maturation index (maturity) with the various particle size of sawdust. The physico-chemical properties of food waste composting shown the standards of organic compost, but there is a potential possibility of salt stress in crops due to the higher salinity of food waste. The smaller particle size showed a higher temperature and relatively easier to maintain a constant temperature. However, there was no significant temperature change on the various mixing ratios. pH, EC and moisture content in ratio of 7:3 as compared to the ratio of 6:4 showed slightly higher and till DAT 21 pH was dropped and then it was stabilized at 9.1 on DAT 56.There was no significant variation on change in pH, but the higher particle size showed the higher EC values in relation to the various mixing ratios. Therefore, there are positive effects on the standardization of the composting process for the quality control and the economics, as the food waste compost showed the higher maturity with the higher mixing ratio of sawdust and the smaller particle size.