Bulletin of Environmental Science and Management, 2014, Vol 2, No 1, 1-7 1

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BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT
Website: http://journal.hibiscuspublisher.com

Mini Review: Environmental Benefits of Composting Organic Solid

Waste by Organic Additives in Malaysia
Siti Noor Baya, K., Irnis Azura, Z.1 and Tengku Nuraiti, T.I.
1
School of Environmental Engineering, University Malaysia Perlis, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia.
Corresponding author; Irnis Azura Zakarya, E-mail: [email protected]

History  Abstract
Received: 27 April 2014
Received in revised form: 10 May 2014 Solid waste generation has become one of the major problems throughout the world. Malaysia is
Accepted: 26 June 2014
Available online: 25 July 2014
no exception to this problem. An increasing generation of solid waste will lead to many problems
in its management. Organic solid waste is a major contribution to solid waste in general. This
Keyword
solid waste generation; paper discusses on how to manage organic solid waste, that is, the largest component in municipal
solid waste management; solid waste generation in Malaysia. The composting process is seen as one of the best waste
organic solid waste; management options in managing the production of organic solid waste. Composting is the
composting;
organic additive
biological process that uses microorganisms, which transforms the organic solid waste into
valuable products and turns the organic matters back to the soil under controlled conditions.
Abbreviations Application of organic additives during composting can accelerate the process by using
EM; Effective Microorganisms microorganisms to break down the organic matter in organic waste. The types of organic additives
IMO; Indigenous Microorganisms used are effective microorganisms and indigenous microorganisms. The environmental by-
product of compost known as bio organic fertilizers could be a substitute of chemical fertilizers.
The by-product of composting can be used in agriculture to increase soil stability and fertility.
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INTRODUCTION
As the years go by, solid waste generation has become one of added products. Increasing concerns about the negative impact of
the major problems across the world, including Malaysia. This solid waste generation and discharge has led to research in the
problem happens because of the increasing population growth, finding of a suitable treatment or management to treat solid waste
economy, development and urbanization of Malaysia. Table 1 properly. Improper management of solid waste can cause pollution
shows the municipal solid waste generated in Peninsular Malaysia to the environment. Various efforts have been made by the
from 1998 to 2000 and generation of projection until 2020. This government to manage the solid waste that is generated day after
projection was based on the average generation rate of 21.4% from day.
1998 to 2000 [1]. Municipal solid waste is suitable for composting because of the
From table 1, Selangor is seen to be the top generator of presence of a high percentage of biodegradable organic matter,
municipal solid waste with an estimate at 1,950,000 tonnes/ year acceptable moisture content and carbon: nitrogen ratio in the waste
and the lowest generator is Perlis with an estimate at 42,000 tonnes/ [5]. Organic solid waste is the major component of municipal solid
year. In 2010, Malaysia’s population is 28.6 million and is waste being thrown in the landfill.
projected to increase by 10 million (35.0%) to 38.6 million in 2040
[2]. This increase in population directly produces a large volume MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE GENERATION
of solid waste. The local municipality was responsible in managing The problem related to the municipal solid waste becomes one
the solid waste generated in Malaysia. of the issues in solid waste management since all of the waste is
The government and municipalities throughout the world is dispose directly in landfills. As the municipal solid waste increases,
facing a major problem in managing solid waste [3]. Its valuable plots of land have to be sacrificed as dumpsites [6].
management continues to be a major challenge in urban areas Mostly municipal solid waste contains either waste that can be
throughout the world, particularly in the rapidly growing cities and recycled or organic solid waste that can be decomposed itself. The
towns of the developing countries [4]. To ensure environmentally decomposition of organic solid waste at landfill causes an
safe disposal of solid waste, the selection of the correct methods is environmental problem which also will affect human health.
required to treat waste by its types of generation [3]. These solid During the decomposition of these organic materials that have
wastes are managed either by recycling, treatment and disposal at been disposed in the landfill, several gases are released and
landfill as a final option for solid waste management. chemical reaction will occurred. Organic solid waste at landfill will
Solid waste that has been generated should not be discharged release toxic gases like nitrous oxide and high concentration of
without a suitable treatment. Proper treatment will prevent negative carbon dioxide. Methane gas produced by anaerobic biodegradation
impact on the environment and allow the recovery of higher value of municipal solid waste in landfill can cause fir and explosions.
 Bulletin of Environmental Science and Management, 2014, Vol 2, No 1, 1-7 2

Organic solid waste from landfill also produce unpleasant odor complex organic matter in these materials including bulking agents
emission from the production of ammonia and hydrogen sulphide (e.g., woodchips, sawdust, biochar) and some chemical additives
gases. are usually added to improve composting performance such as
A major contributing factor to an increase of organic solid absorbing odor, adjusting the appropriate carbon-nitrogen (C/N
waste comes from human activities especially those from low ration), keeping the moisture content, total nitrogen, nutrients and
income residential households. This is shown in Table 2, where the enhancing the porosity and aeration [13].
characterization of municipal solid waste by different levels of Instead of using bulking agents with various biological
income of residents in Malaysia. Low income residential processes in decomposition of organic matter, organic additives can
households show the highest percentage of organic and food waste be used in the composting of organic matter. Organic additives
production, since these residents tend to cook or prepared food at used in composting could produce an environmental product of
home. This is unlike residents with high and medium income who compost known as bio organic fertilizers. Previous study has
are more likely to buy or eat at restaurants. The types of organic shown the effectiveness using effective microorganisms (EM) and
solid waste contain of biodegradable organic materials that can indigenous microorganisms (IMO) during composting of organic
decompose naturally in landfill [7]. solid waste. Beneficial microorganisms contained in EM and IMO
The composting process is seen as the best method in accelerate the compost process under controlled condition besides
overcoming the issues of increased organic solid waste being producing final compost of high quality.
disposed directly in landfills and production of various gases. The EM was developed from Japan and consists of mixed culture of
purpose of composting is to stabilize the waste for land filling, beneficial microorganisms. It is a naturally occurring
reduce the volume and mass of solid waste and return the organic microorganism that can be cultivated through several methods. EM
substances to their natural state. Currently in Malaysia, the contains of acid lactic bacteria, yeast and a smaller number of
composting process is recognized as the most adequate pre- photosynthetic bacteria, and other types of organisms [14].
treatment in order to obtain a composted material which may Utilization of EM during composting has piqued the interest of
respond more efficiently and safely than the raw material to the soil researchers in the area of study.
[8]. Indigenous microorganisms are a clustered group of
microorganisms that lives in a place. Local IMO can be cultivated
COMPOSTING OF ORGANIC SOLID WASTE through several methods, including the process of preparing IMO I
Organic waste is a material that can be composted. It composts until IMO IV. IMO is an organism that enriches the nutrient quality
naturally while thrown in the land or during the composting process of soil. Cynobacteria, fungi and bacteria are the main sources of
under controlled conditions. Not all solid waste can be composted. indigenous microorganisms [3].
Organic kitchen and garden waste fall into the categories of organic Microorganisms like bacteria require carbon for energy and
waste that can be composted. Vegetables remains, fruit remains, nitrogen for the production of amino acids and proteins in their
potato peeling, egg shell, a tea bag and tissue are some example of bodies [15]. The combination used of EM and IMO with organic
organic kitchen waste that can be easily composted at home. The materials has been reported to quicken the decomposition process
types of garden waste that can be composted are grass cutting, and mineralization of nutrients from applying organic amendments
flower, leaves and roots. These types of organic waste mainly [14]. Although these two techniques using beneficial
produced in residential area, restaurant, and institutional entities microorganisms play a role in breaking down organic matter during
and cleansing playground. composting, but the methods and materials used in preparing these
Composting of organic solid waste is seen as an economical two additives are different due to their properties.
way in the treatment of waste. As mentioned before, composting
helps reduce the volume of waste needed to be disposed at landfill. REVIEW OF COMPOSTING BY EFFECTIVE
Composting can be defined as the process for the treatment of solid MICROORGANISMS
organic waste and the biological decomposition of raw compost Effective microorganisms used as organic additives during
materials to form compost [9]. Composting is also defined as a composting process have received a lot of attention from
natural process that turns organic material into a dark rich substance researcher. Thus, various studies have been conducted using
called compost. During the composting process, microorganisms effective microorganisms to treat the solid waste and the product of
such as bacteria and fungi break down complex organic into compost was applied in plant growth. A previous study showed the
compost. The compost is a wonderful conditioner for the soil [10]. application and effect of compost product on the rice productivity
and quality of rice and greenhouse-grown tomato.
COMPOSTING OF ORGANIC SOLID WASTE IN The effects of the integrated use of effective microorganisms,
ADDITION OF ORGANIC ADDITIVES compost and mineral fertilizer on greenhouse-grown tomato was
The composting process occurs naturally but it takes a long time studied for the growth, yield and quality of tomato grown under
for the decomposition of organic materials to occur. Since the controlled environment, with selected soil properties [16]. The
process is time consuming, it makes it unattractive for result of this study is shown in Table 3. From Table 3, the
entrepreneurship prospect [11]. However, nowadays due to the application of effective microorganisms is seen to give negative
advancements in composting technology like rapid composting effects on leaf dry matter yield, leaf number, number of trusses,
using accelerators, co-composting using additives and microbial fruit yield and fruits formed compared to the other treatment.
inoculums, entrepreneurs are likely to be attracted into the waste However, the average fruit weight gives a positive result for
management sector. application of effective microorganisms and the combine compost
Composting has been used widely in the treatment of various with effective microorganisms. It can be concluded that the more
waste materials like animal waste, fish waste, sewage sludge, assimilates were being partitioned, the fewer fruits were formed.
kitchen and garden waste and priority pollutants [12]. Various
biological processes are used to decompose and humidify the
 Bulletin of Environmental Science and Management, 2014, Vol 2, No 1, 1-7 3

Table 1. MSW generation by states in Peninsular Malaysia in thousand tonnes

State 1998 1999 2000 2010a 2015a 2020a

Kuala Lumpur 1058 1070 1082 1202 1262 1322
Selangor 1169 1204 1240 1595 1772.5 1950
Pahang 202 206 210 250 270 290
Kelantan 123 126 120 87 72 42
Terengganu 119 122 125 155 170 185
N. Sembilan 267 278 291 411 471 531
Melaka 208 216 225 310 352.5 395
Johor 927 956 1005 1395 1590 1785
Perlis 28 28 29 34 36.5 39
Kedah 569 569 631 941 1096 1251
Penang 611 611 648 833 925.5 1018
Perak 719 719 763 983 1093 1012
Total 6000 6105 6369 8196 9111 9820

a Projection based on (1998-2000) average increase rate of 21.4%.

 Bulletin of Environmental Science and Management, 2014, Vol 2, No 1, 1-7 4

Table 2. Typical Malaysia Municipal Solid Waste Characterization

Source Residential high income (%) Residential medium income Residential low income (%)
(%)
Food/Organic 30.84 38.42 54.04
Mix paper 9.75 7.22 6.37
News print 6.05 7.76 3.72
High grade paper - 1.02 -
Corrugated paper 1.37 1.75 1.53
Plastic (rigid) 3.85 3.57 1.90
Plastic (film) 21.62 14.75 8.91
Plastic (foam) 0.74 1.72 0.85
Pampers 6.49 7.58 5.83
Textile 1.43 3.55 5.47
Rubber/leather 0.48 1.78 1.46
Wood 5.83 1.39 0.86
Yard 6.12 1.12 2.03
Glass (clear) 1.58 2.07 1.21
Glass (colour) 1.17 2.02 0.09
Ferrous 1.93 3.05 2.25
Non-ferrous 0.17 0.00 0.18
Aluminium 0.34 0.08 0.39
Batteries/hazards 0.22 0.18 -
Fine - 0.71 2.66
Other organic 0.02 0.00 -
Other inorganic - 0.27 0.25
Others - - -
 Bulletin of Environmental Science and Management, 2014, Vol 2, No 1, 1-7 5

Table 3. Effects of EM, compost and mineral fertilizer combination on leaf dry matter yield (DMY), leaf number, number of trusses, fruit yield, fruits formed and on the average

fruit mass of greenhouse-grown tomato.

Treatment Leaf dry matter Leaf number/ Number of Fruit yield Fruits formed/ Average fruit
yield g pot-1 trusses/ (g pot-1) pot-1 mass
(g pot-1) g pot-1 (g fruit-1)
Control 45.8 21 11 418 15 42.1
EM 41.9 17 7 354.4 8 47.0
RF 57.3 39 16 563.4 20 29.8
EM + RF 53.2 34 15 526.6 17 31.0
Compost 48.7 20 9 470.0 10 51.5
Compost + EM 39.3 18 8 356.8 7 56.6
Compost + RF 70.0 32 15 632.8 20 32.7
Compost + RF + EM 59.7 33 13 555.1 20 29.1
EM: effective microorganism, RF: recommended fertilizer
 Bulletin of Environmental Science and Management, 2014, Vol 2, No 1, 1-7 6

A study of comparing the use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer additives. It can overcome the issue in managing of organic solid
and EM-compost on paddy field fertility was done with a good waste since the solid waste need not be disposed at the landfill.
result obtained by using EM-compost to enhance soil fertility and
improve the growth of paddy [14]. EM-compost also increased the ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS USING ORGANIC
nitrogen and nutrients (N, P, K) in soil that more available for plant ADDITIVES IN COMPOSTING
compared to chemical fertilizer. From the results shown, it can be The product of compost is usually used in agriculture as an
concluded that utilization of EM-compost have many benefits organic fertilizer to improve the yield and crop and it can be used
towards rice quality that could help in control the use of nitrogen as a nutrient source for plant growth [21]. The final product of
chemical fertilizers. compost is also used as a soil conditioner to improve the soil
Application of effective microorganisms was also used in the structure, increase soil organic content and suppress plant
composting of rice straw where an investigation of the composting pathogens.
of rice straw with EM and its influence compost quality was done Application of effective microorganism in the composting of
[17]. Effective microorganism used during the composting process rice straw, goat manure and green waste is suitable to increase the
of rice straw with goat manure and green waste, consisting of two mineralization in the composting process and product of compost
piles of treatment where one pile was applied with EM and another is in a range of mature level. The product of compost can be used
pile without EM. Decomposition of organic matter occurs in a 90 without restriction [17]. The highest quality of compost produced
day period with tested parameters for temperature, pH, TOC, and and provide a better environment for the EM compost with kitchen
carbon: nitrogen ratio. Macro and micronutrient content increases waste has been determined [3]. EM compost also would reduce the
with application of EM during composting. The result also showed use of chemical fertilizers and could be the best thing for a safer
that compost applied with EM has more N, P and K content environment [14].
compared to the compost without EM. Organic composts additives used are materials that are
Household and institutional entities are dominant in generating environmental friendly to avoid any harm occur during or after the
daily food waste. The effectiveness of using effective process of composting. A benefit of using organic additives in
microorganisms in composting of kitchen waste was also widely composting process is the absence of odor during the composting
studied. The results reveals that EM compost had a fast period. In addition, decomposition of organic material will take
decomposition rate, more yield and richer in nutrients compared to place in a shorter time with addition of organic additives. These
natural compost [18]. Kitchen waste compost with EM produced organic additives are not a substitute for other management
no odor and the foul smell was more controlled during the practices. EM and IMO only helps to enhance the number of fruits,
composting process [3]. promote plant growth and increase crop production. Its utilization
and preparation do not involve any chemical that can harm the crops
REVIEW OF COMPOSTING BY INDIGENOUS and yield. The addition of compost to the soil produces a general
MICROORGANISMS improvement of the soil characteristics both from physical and
Utilization of indigenous microorganisms in composting biological points of view [22].
process was not well documented by researchers. A study had been The product of the final compost can be used as an organic
conducted to study the selection of indigenous microorganisms in fertilizer which is useful in the agriculture and this is one of the
enhancing IMO-compost production by using different indigenous waste management options in solid waste. Compost can be used for
microorganisms sources of compost quality [19]. It applied three vegetables gardens, flower gardens, lawn dressing and also house
different IMO sources which were steamed white rice (SWR), plant. Product of compost can be used to improve soil fertility and
aerated fish pond water (AFPW) and kitchen waste (KW) for the stability. It might be considered as a replacement for existing
final stages of cultivated indigenous microorganisms. chemical fertilizers. An excessive use of chemical fertilizers and
These three different sources of IMO were used to compost a pesticides in agriculture can be a risk to human health. The product
paddy husk, corn stalk and adding a small portion of chicken dung of compost must meet the criteria and standard that has been laid
as a nitrogen source. All of these IMO has attained an ambient down by the government for the composting process to be
temperature at 34 days of composting and indicate the stable nature considered successful.
of compost. In this study, IMO-compost using AFPW compost with
corn stalk had shown the best sources for IMO to the local CONCLUSION
environment which give a high positive relationship of total N, P, Composting is seen as an environmentally acceptable method
K, carbon: nitrogen ratio, pH, TOC, OM and CEC with HA content. of waste treatment that not only reduces the environmental
The impact of indigenous microorganism on soil microbial and problems, [9] it also helps in reducing the amount of organic solid
enzyme activities also being studied [20] by comparing the soil waste that is directly disposed at landfill, thus extending the life of
treated with IMO and native sample. Physico-chemical properties the landfill. In addition, under controlled conditions it can
for both soil shown that soil treated with IMO altered the physico- minimize any harmful gases released during the decomposition
chemical than native. Physico-chemical properties tested were pH, process. Composting of organic solid waste as one of the waste
water holding capacity, electrical conductivity, organic contents, management options can overcome the current issue of increasing
phosphorus, potassium and carbon. Bacteria and fungi population production of organic solid waste. It is a simple process and can be
also observed higher in soil treated with IMO than native soil. Soil easily applied at home on a smaller scale. Furthermore, the process
treated with IMO has a relatively higher amount of proteases and to introduce and prepared organic additives such as indigenous
urease enzyme compared to the native soil from this study. microorganism or effective microorganism requires a minimal cost.
As reported by the previous study about the advantages and Although composting is a simple and easy method that can easily
benefits of using indigenous microorganisms and effective be incorporated in any solid waste management, it is still not
microorganisms in composting of various waste, organic solid considered a major method in Malaysia. This is due to the lack of
waste is also suitable to be composted with the addition of organic awareness among the community throughout the nation.
 Bulletin of Environmental Science and Management, 2014, Vol 2, No 1, 1-7 7

Compost Quality. Iranian Journal of Environmental Health Science

AUTHOR’S CONTRIBUTIONS & Engineering, 2013. 10 (17).
SNBK has designed and performed the manuscript framework [18] Saravanan, P., S.S. Kumar, and C. Ajithan, Eco-friendly
and wrote this manuscript. IAZ has guided in the design of the Practice of Utilization of Food Wastes, in International Journal of
manuscript and corrected the mistakes during the writing and Pharmaceutical Sciences Innovation. 2013. p. 14-17.
preparation of the manuscript. TNTI has monitored the progress [19] Hanim, A.N., et al. Selection of Indigenous Microorganisms in
during manuscript preparation and give suggestion on manuscript Enhancing Imo-Compost Production. in 11th International Annual
submission. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript. Symposium on Sustainability Science and Management. 2012.
UMT.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS [20] Sumathi, T., et al., Impact of Indigenous Microorganisms on
The authors gratefully acknowledge all persons that involved Soil Microbial Activity and Enzyme Activities. Archieves of
directly or indirectly during preparation of this manuscript. Applied Science Research, 2012. 4 (2): p. 1065-1073.
[21] Farrel, M. and D.L.Jones, Critical Evaluation of Municipal
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