Composting of cellulosic hospital solid waste: a potentially novel approach

A 30-day random sampling of solid waste from King Edward Memorial Hospital, Pune (India), was carried out to generate data on its characteristics. Biodegradable waste was segregated and composted; the fresh waste was found to be deficient in readily available nitrogen and populations of cellulolytic microorganisms did not increase. Supplements were employed and cow manure-amended composting produced the best quality compost in the shortest time under laboratory conditions. Physicochemical and microbiological parameters were evaluated during composting and it was found that the main cellulose-degrading bacteria belonged to Bacillus sp. Fungi played a minor role during the process