A Novel Approach to Food Waste Management

Abstract

The present study evaluates the problems associated with the solid waste management. For better processing of garbage the waste disposal machine was fabricated. The garbage processing unit developed intends to reduce the size and dry the final product there by reducing problems of disposing the garbage. A prototype model was designed and fabricated which consists of dewatering unit, size reduction unit and heating unit. The benefit of model is ease of handling of garbage due to reduction in mass, resulting in reduced handling costs. Moreover drying prevents microbial growth and disintegrates the food waste. The present study identified the parameter necessary to shorten the time to reach the thermophilic temperatures and this technology was evaluated under batch flow operating conditions. The food waste was collected and was operated mechanically using the food waste processing machine. The laboratory analysis was carried out and the process was optimized the temperature at 100?C with the retention time of 90 minutes. The dewatering process helped in the reducing the time and temperature required for the drying of garbage. The results showed reduction in moisture content of food waste after treatment. The food waste processing machine achieved volume reduction efficiency of 85-90%. From this study, it appears that the use of this fabricated machine may be viable alternative for food waste disposal.