BMS653

LAB REPORT 3
TEST OF BIODEGRADABLE PRODUCTS IN AN INDOOR
COMPOSTER

STUDENTS NAME ID NUMBER

NUR SYAHIRAH WAJIHAH BT ABU SAMAH 2017656892
NASUHA YAHAYA 2017447888
NUR SYAZWANI BT MOHAMMAD 2017656902
NABILA HUDA BT JOHNAS 2017656968
NORANIZAH BT ARBAIN 2017656948
ATHIRAH HAZWANI MOHAMAD AMIN 2017656906
MUHAMMAD FADHIL HELMI BIN MOHD ISHAK 2017656936

GROUP: AS2446B & AS2446C

LECTURER: DR KHAIRUL ADZFA RADZUN

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 8TH NOVEMBER 2019

ABSTRACT

Biodegradable materials are a thing that can decay or decompose naturally and doesn’t give bad
effect on the environment. Compost is a one way in recycling the materials that may be thrown
away into environment like landfill. In this practical, the rate of biodegradation of plastic,
cardboard, newspaper, and teabag was investigated using a bio composter that contain
newspaper, cuttings, soil, fruit cutting and leaves. Each week, the materials were weighed and
any changes were observed and recorded. Results obtained show that each material has increase
of weight and this indicates the materials has not successfully decompose. The reason behind this
may contributed by the materials were non biodegradable and the microorganisms unable to
breakdown the matter and decomposes it. Therefore, the rate of biodegradation of these items
shows negative results and failed to decompose.

INTRODUCTION

According to American Dictionary, biodegradable object is thing that can

decay or decompose naturally. At the same time, this type of object does not
give harm to the environment. It is also can reduce waste transportation
cost. In developing nation, a major portion of municipal solid waste (MSW)
was formed of household wet biodegradable waste. This type of waste also
known as biodegradable object that can decompose naturally but in different
way and different rate depend on the material of the object made of. Manu
et al. (2017) find undesirable odorous gases emissions were released by the
biodegradable wet waste which upon degradation. According to Onwosi et al.
(2017), biodegrading or composting is one of the most preferred method for
the organic fraction due to cost effectiveness, production of nutrient rich
material and mitigation of greenhouse gas emission.

OBJECTIVE

1. To determine the decomposition process of the objects occur naturally.

2. To observe the decomposition process of the objects that made of

different materials takes
 differently.

3. To compare which decomposes the fastest.

RESULT
Table 1
Weight (g) Week 1 Observations
Tea bag 1.89 1. A bit smelly
Newspaper 0.12 2. No presence of water
Tissue 0.12
Plastic 0.06
Cardboard 0.90

Table 2
Weight (g) Week 2 Observations
Tea bag 4.21 1. Very smelly
Newspaper 0.48 2. White dots on fruit
Tissue - at the top layer
Plastic 0.22 3. No presence of water
Cardboard 2.61

Table 3
Weight (g) Week 3 Observations
Tea bag 4.79 1. Very smelly
Newspaper 0.83 2. Few dots on fruit
Tissue - at the top layer
Plastic 0.27 3. No presence of water
Cardboard 2.65
DISCUSSION

Decomposition is the method of breaking down biological compounds into simplified

material. The system is part of the nitrogen cycle and is necessary to reuse the limited material
that fills the biosphere's physical space. Immediately after death, bodies of living organisms start
to decompose. Animals like worms often allow the natural materials to be decomposed.
Organisms that do this are referred to as decomposers. Although no two species decompose in
the same manner, they all experience the same decompositional sequential processes. The
science that studies decomposition from the Greek word tomb is generally referred to as
taphonomy.

Biological action has decomposed (stabilized) organic matter in nature since life first
appeared on our planet. Recently, man has tried to control and use the process for sanitary
recycling and organic waste material recycling directly. This method will turn organic materials
such as vegetable matter, pet manure and other organic refuse from otherwise discarded products
into a more stable form for use as a soil alteration. This process is called "composting" and the
resulting composting material is labeled "composting." There are two processes that yield
compost of ANAEROBIC (without oxygen) decomposition and AEROBIC (with oxygen)
decomposition and stabilization.

In these processes, bacteria, fungi, molds, protozoa, actinomycetes, and other saprophytic
organisms initially feed on decaying organic materials, whereas in the later stages of
decomposition, mites, millipedes, centipedes, springtails, beetles, and earthworms continue to
break down and enrich the composting materials.

Bio composting is influenced by several factors. Next, the components were shown. A
dead body exposed to accessible conditions like water and air can decompose quicker and draw
much more insect behavior than a corpse covered or enclosed by unique protective gear or
objects. Next is temperature, oxygen supply, pre-embalming, cause of death, burial, burial size,
and form of soil. Entry by scavengers, injury, like injuries and smashing strikes, humidity and
wetness, varies greatly in the rate at which decomposition happens. Factors including
temperature, humidity and death season will decide how fast a fresh body will skeletonize or
mummify. The level of bacterial decomposition operating on the tissue would ultimately depend
on the ambient environment. Colder temperatures increasing the decomposition speed when
warmer temperatures raise the decomposition level. A dry body will not effectively decompose.
Humidity allows the development of microorganisms which decompose the organic matter, too
much humidity can slow down the decomposition process. The normal process of decomposition
is stopped under extremely dry and cold conditions, allowing the corpse to be retained as a
mummy owing to either lack of moisture or temperature controls on bacterial or enzymatic
activity.

Decomposition in the compost pile of organic material depends on maintaining microbial

activity. The composting cycle is also impeded by any element that delays or inhibits microbial
growth. Efficient decomposition happens when there is proof of aeration, humidity, particle
volume and an enough supply of coal and nitrogen. It is the amount of oxygen that bacteria need
to successfully decompose organic waste. In the absence of oxygen (anaerobic conditions), some
decomposition occurs; however, the process is slow and there may be foul odors. Composting
without oxygen is not recommended in a residential setting because of the odor problem, unless
the process is carried out in a fully closed system. Mixing the pile once or twice a month
provides the necessary oxygen and significantly hastens the

Next, microbial activity requires adequate moisture. A liquid manure will not successfully
decompose. Proper moisture promotes the growth of microorganisms that break down into
humus the organic matter. Water the pile periodically if rainfall is limited to maintain a steady
rate of decomposition. Add enough water to make the pile humid, but not soggy. Avoid watering
over watering. Excess water can contribute to anaerobic conditions that slow down the process of
oxidation, creating foul odors. Switch it to dry out and restart the process if the pile should get
too cold.

Particle size also occupies significant roles. Upon composting, crushing the organic material
significantly reduces the time for decomposition. The larger the particle size of the biological
refuse, the quicker the bacteria will eat it. A shredder is useful for chipping or shredding most
refuse from the landscape and is essential for composting brush or sticks. Mowing the lawn until
raking is a low-cost method of reducing the amount of fallen tree leaves. Wind-rowing the leaves
into one-foot high long, narrow piles will make the process of shredding more efficient. If the
mower has an appropriate bag mount, it is possible to collect the shredded leaves directly.
Nonetheless, it is completely optional to grind.

Eventually, compost pile temperature is very critical for the frequency of biological activity.
The activity is slowed down by low outside temperatures, while warmer temperatures accelerate
decomposition. The bacteria that make up most of the decomposition process fell into two
categories: mesophilic, those that survive and work at 50-113 ° F temperatures, and thermophilic,
those that grow at 113-158 ° F temperatures. A properly mixed compost pile will heat up to
temperatures between 110 ° F and 160 ° F as the microbes actively feed on the organic materials.
These high temperatures will help destroy the seeds of weeds and disease in the pile.

Referring to the result from 3 weeks of composting, the data that were collected increases in
weight (g) which indicates that the there was no decaying occurred for all types of objects being
placed in the bio compost except for tissue which it was degraded after the first week. Other
object that have been placed in the bio compost were all increase in weight and cannot be
determine as decay or decomposed. There are few errors while preparing the bio compost and the
time taken for the bio compost should be long term to see the process of the decomposition of the
objects that have been placed in the bio compost bin.

The error that might occur which is the soil and the organic material use as the decomposer
which was the fruits waste from the cafeteria in the faculty which was not properly mix with the
soil and the placing of the item to test were not properly manage to obtain the right condition for
expected bacteria to grow and degrade the item to test. What can be done to overcome the
problem is by preparing the compost properly and provide enough need which could develop the
growth of the bacteria that act as decomposer.
REFERENCES
Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary
J. A. Adediran , L. B. Taiwo & R. A. Sobulo (2003) Effect of Organic Wastes and Method of
Composting on Compost Maturity, Nutrient Composition of Compost and Yields of Two
Vegetable Crops, Journal of Sustainable Agriculture,
22:4, 95-109, DOI: 10.1300/J064v22n04_08
Manu, M. K., Kumar, R., & Garg, A. (2019). Decentralized composting of household wet
biodegradable waste in plastic drums: Effect of waste turning, microbial inoculum and bulking
agent on product quality. Journal of Cleaner Production, 226, 233-241.
Onwosi, C.O., Igbokwe, V.C., Odimba, J.N., Eke, I.E., Nwankwoala, M.O., Iroh, I.N., Ezeogu,
L.I., 2017. Composting technology in waste stabilization: on the methods, challenges and future
prospects. J. Environ. Manag. 190, 140e157.