Yard Waste Composting: Studies Using Different Mixes of Leaves and Grass in a Laboratory Scale System

Abstract

Composting has become a widely used method of recycling yard wastes such as leaves and grass. However, very little information is available on the chemical changes that occur during the composting of different mixtures of leaves and grass. In this study, three different mixes of leaves and grass were composted at approximately 60% moisture in a temperature controlled laboratory scale system. The mixes, which consisted of all leaves (Mix 1); 2/3 leaves + 1/3 grass (Mix 2); and 1/3 leaves + 2/3 grass (Mix 3), had initial C:N ratios of 48, 30 and 22, respectively. The compost process was monitored by measuring the rate of CO₂ evolution, pH, stability, the degree of humification and changes in polysaccharide, carbon, nitrogen and organic matter content. Results showed that the greater the grass content of the mix, the higher the initial pH and the faster the rate of CO₂ evolution, organic matter loss and nitrogen loss. After 43 days of composting, Mixes 1, 2 and 3, lost, respectively 61%, 74% and 78% of the cellulose, 57%, 79% and 82% of the hemicellulose and 40%, 49% and 42% of the acid-insoluble organic matter. Humification indices and stability tests indicated that composts produced from the three mixes were well humified and stable.