Characteristics of Composts Derived from Waxed Corrugated Cardboard |
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Authors: | D.A. Raymond R.P. Voroney C. Chong |
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Affiliation: | 1. Grace Bioremediation Technologies, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada;2. Department of Land Resource Science, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada;3. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario, Vineland Station, Ontario, Canada |
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Abstract: | The characteristics of 12 composts containing, by volume, spent mushroom substrate (SMS, 50 percent), waste waxed corrugated cardboard (WCC, 0 percent, 25 percent or 50 percent), and/or pulverized wood wastes (WW, 50 percent, 25 percent or 0 percent) were measured during two separate windrow composting periods (12-16 weeks). Supplemental N was added to some of the composts in the form of poultry manure, and/or soybean processing wastes. During the first eight to 10 weeks, composts containing 50 percent WCC tended to reach and maintain the highest temperatures, but subsequently cooled most rapidly. Microbial activity (CO2 evolution) also was initially highest in these composts but fell by the twelfth week to levels comparable to composts containing lower levels of WCC. The paraffin wax in WCC containing composts was almost completely degraded (>95 percent). After 12 weeks of composting N (1.2-1.6 percent DW), P (0.30-0.55 percent), and K (0.9-1.2 percent) concentrations were within typical ranges and N and P were highest in composts containing 50 percent WCC. KC1 extractable NH4-N (494 mg-N kg?1) and NO3+NO2-N (281 mg-N kg?1) were highest and lowest, respectively, in composts containing 50 percent WCC. Electrical conductivity (4.5-8.5mS/cm) and pH (7.5-8.5) were high in all composts and highest in composts with 50 percent WCC. Concentrations of phenolic compounds were highest in composts containing 50 percent WCC, manure, and soybean wastes and were positively correlated with NH4-N. C:N ratios of all composts were within an acceptable range (18-23:1). |
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