ABSTRACT
Composting is a sustainable waste management technique in developing countries. It is an eco-friendly approach for bioconversion into value added products which may be utilized as plant nutrients. It also reduces disposal and pollution problems arising from distillery efuent. Composting is an aerobic, thermophilic, and controlled microbial biooxidation process resulting in a product rich in humus which is used as a fertilizer. The oxidation produces a transient thermophilic stage which is followed by a period of cooling of degrading organic matter. The resulting material is held at ambient temperatures for maturation purposes which results in a stable, volume-reduced, hygienic, humus-like material which is benecial to soil and plants. Composting is a popular option adopted by several Indian distilleries attached to sugar mills with adequate land availability. The wastewater of distilleries, that is, spent wash, either directly or after biomethanation is sprayed in a controlled manner on sugarcane pressmud. The efuent discharged after the biomethanation process is known as postmethanated distillery efuent (PMDE).
