Assessment of an integrated management practice for food waste and fecal sludge by co-composting at Saidpur Municipality, Bangladesh | |
| Author | Miah, Md. Alamgir |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-26-08 |
| Subject(s) | Food waste--Bangladesh Waste management--Bangladesh Sustainable development--Bangladesh |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The rapid increase in food waste (FW) and fecal sludge (FS) generation in developing urban areas poses serious environmental, public health, and climate challenges. In Saidpur Municipality, Bangladesh, conventional waste management practices such as open dumping and uncontrolled disposal contribute significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and loss of valuable nutrients. This study aims to (i) determine the optimum co-composting ratio of FW and FS for producing a sustainable soil conditioner, and (ii) estimate the associated environmental and climate benefits, particularly GHG emission reductions.An experimental co-composting study was conducted using five different mixing ratios of FW, FS, and sawdust as a bulking agent under controlled aerobic conditions. Key operational parameters, including temperature, moisture content, pH, and carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio, were monitored throughout the composting period to evaluate process performance and stability. The quality of the final compost was assessed based on physicochemical properties and nutrient content (N, P, and K).The results revealed that the mixing ratio of 3:1:1 (FW: FS: sawdust) demonstrated the best performance in terms of compost stability, maturity, and nutrient enrichment. This ratio maintained an optimal moisture balance, improved aeration, and achieved a desirable C:N ratio suitable for agricultural application. The final compost showed enriched nutrient content, with total nitrogen ranging from 2.31–3.81%, phosphorus from 0.62–0.89%, and potassium from 1.21–1.98%, which are higher than the typical nutrient ranges reported for conventional municipal compost (N: 1.0–2.5%, P: 0.3–0.8%, K: 0.5–1.5%), indicating strong potential as a sustainable soil conditioner and partial substitute for synthetic fertilizers.Environmental assessment based on IPCC (2006) guidelines indicated that co-composting reduced GHG emissions by approximately 82–83% compared to landfill disposal. When accounting for soil organic carbon sequestration and fertilizer substitution, total mitigation increased to approximately 87–90%. Overall, the findings demonstrate that integrated FW–FS co-composting is an effective and climate-resilient waste management strategy for sustainable urban development. |
| Year | 2026 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering (2026) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EEM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Thammarat Koottatep |
| Examination Committee(s) | Ekbordin Winijkul;Ahmed, Tanvir |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Global Water & Sanitation Center (GWSC);AIT Scholarship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2026 |
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