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In-Vessel Composting

Submitted by: Joamy Mark A. Abella

Laurence C. Branzuela

Jay C. Catedrilla

Christian Edo

Johnrey D. Vallente

Submitted to: Engr. Loradel Llenado, ABE

April 2025
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Table of Contents

Rationale 1

Results and Discussions

Conclusion

Recommendations

Appendices

References
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Rationale

Solid waste management remains one of the most persistent

environmental issues worldwide, particularly in developing countries where

the growing volume of biodegradable waste often overwhelms municipal

systems. A significant portion of household waste—up to 50–65% in many

urban settings—consists of organic matter, including food scraps, garden

waste, and agricultural residues (Kaza et al., 2018). If improperly managed,

this organic waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, soil and water

contamination, and public health hazards. Composting has emerged as a

sustainable and low-cost solution to this problem, offering a natural process

that recycles organic materials into a stable, soil-enhancing product known

as compost (Bernal et al., 2009).

Composting is fundamentally a microbial-driven process that requires a

proper balance of carbon and nitrogen materials, sufficient aeration, and

optimal moisture and temperature levels (Haug, 1993). While the method is

simple in principle, successful composting depends on maintaining

conditions that support microbial activity throughout its stages—mesophilic,

thermophilic, and maturation (Zhang et al., 2020). The thermophilic stage, in

particular, plays a crucial role in pathogen destruction and rapid

decomposition. However, in many grassroots or small-scale composting

efforts, key variables such as temperature, oxygen levels, or C:N ratios are
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not carefully monitored, leading to inconsistent results or incomplete

compost maturation.

A small-scale effort using locally available materials—food scraps,

banana pseudostem, and soil can generate an iinternal compost temperature

rose from 32°C to 45°C, indicating microbial activity and entry into the

thermophilic phase. However, it fell short of the 50–60°C range considered

ideal for effective pathogen reduction and full organic breakdown (Tiquia et

al., 2002). This leads to an issue often encountered in community-level

composting—namely, the lack of sustained high-temperature conditions

necessary for efficient decomposition.

Additionally, the compost quality can be assessed primarily through

subjective indicators such as smell, appearance, and texture, without the aid

of quantitative tools like pH meters, moisture probes, or laboratory testing.

While these observational methods are useful in practical terms, they fall

short of the scientific rigor required to ensure compost stability and maturity

(Sánchez-Monedero et al., 2001). This reliance on visual and olfactory cues

reflects a broader issue in the field: the gap between traditional or manual

composting practices and the increasingly evidence-based approaches

recommended in recent literature.

Despite these limitations, the results demonstrated a clear

transformation of organic waste into a usable compost product within two

weeks, with positive indicators such as an earthy smell, dark brown

coloration, and a crumbly texture. These changes are aligned with

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characteristics of mature compost (Zhang et al., 2020). Yet, the process

could benefit from better monitoring techniques and understanding of

composting dynamics, especially if scaled for broader adoption in

communities or institutions.

Therefore, this study emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap

between traditional composting practices and scientifically-informed

methods. The incorporation of temperature monitoring, improving material

ratios, and introducing more standardized evaluation techniques, community

composting can evolve into a more efficient and reliable solution for organic

waste management.
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Objectives

The following objectives are designed to guide the in-vessel composting

process using a mixture of banana pseudostem, ipil-ipil leaves, paper,

vegetable and fruit scraps, banana peels, water, and humus, with a focus on

monitoring key factors such as temperature, odor, and physical appearance

to ensure efficient and sustainable compost production.

1. To track both internal and external temperatures of the composting

vessel at regular intervals in order to assess the effectiveness of

microbial activity and decomposition.

2. To observe and record any changes in odor during the composting

process, aiming for a balance between aerobic (pleasant, earthy smell)

and anaerobic conditions (unpleasant smells).

3. To regularly inspect and document the physical changes in the

compost mixture, including the breakdown of banana pseudostem, ipil-

ipil leaves, paper, fruit scraps, banana peels, and other materials.

4. To collect data on the physical appearance, temperature and odor to

refine and optimize the in-vessel composting process.

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Results and Discussions

Table 1. Compost Materials

No Materials Mass NPK and other Content

.
1 Banana Pseudostem 8 kg Nitrogen – 20%
Phosphorus – 6.5%
Potassium – 12.4 %
Boron – 0.2 %

Islam et al., 2023

2 Ipil-Ipil Leaves 1 kg Nitrogen – 20.9 to 43 kg/tons
Phosphorus – 1.5 to 4 kg/ tons
Potassium – 13.4 to 40 kg/
tons
Magnesium – 3.9 to 10
kg/tons
Calcium – 7.5 to 20.3 kg/ tons

Paul et al., 2015

3 Paper 2 kg Nitrogen – 0.2
Carbon - 39
Hydrogen – 6

Fernandes et al., 2015

4 Vegetable and Fruit Scraps 7.75 kg Nitrogen – 185.96 ± 2.8
Phosphorus - 55.8 ± 1.4
Potassium - 55.8 ± 1.4
Zinc - 188 ± 2.5
Copper - 85.24 ± 3.5
Iron - 142.32 ± 5.8
Manganese - 245.3 ± 2.8
Boron - 542.62 ± 8.6
Molybdenum - 15.31 ± 2.41
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Ramamoorthy et al., 2024

5 Banana peel 7 kg Potassium – 78.10 mg/g
Calcium – 19.20 mg/g
Sodium – 24.30 mg/g
Iron – 0. 61 mg/g
Manganese – 76.20 mg/g
Bromine – 0.04 mg/g
Rubidium – 0.21 mg/g
Strontium - 0.03 mg/g
Zirconium – 0.02 mg/g
Niobium – 0.02 mg/g
Protein – 0.90 mg/g
Crude Lipid – 1.70 mg/g
Carbohydrate – 59 mg/g
Crude Fibre – 31.70 mg/g

Anhwange 2008
6 Water 3 liters -
7 Humus 15 kg Carbon 58%
Nitrogen 3-6%

Soil Humus n.d.

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Table 2. Compost Monitoring Log

Day Inside Outside Smell Appearan Notes on Changes

Temp Temp (1-5) ce (1-5)
(°C) (°C)
1 32 31 2 2 Initial setup: fresh
materials added. No
decomposition yet.
2 34 31 2 2 Slight odor due to
fruit scraps breaking
down.
3 33 32 3 2 Temperature
increasing, early
decomposition stage.
4 36 32 3 2 Stronger smell as
microbial activity
rises.
5 40 33 3 3 Compost getting
hotter, dark patches
appearing.
6 43 33 4 3 Strong odor, need to
turn compost to
balance oxygen.
7 44 34 4 3 Peak decomposition,
high microbial
activity.
8 45 33 3 3 Temperature peaking,
breakdown of fibers
visible.
9 43 35 3 4 Slight earthy smell
developing.
10 40 34 3 4 Nearing maturity,
compost cooling
down.
11 36 33 3 4 Smells more like soil,
fully dark brown.
12 36 33 2 5 Fully decomposed,
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minor moisture left.

13 31 31 2 5 Earthy smell
dominates, no
pungent odor.
14 30 31 1 5 Mature compost, dark
brown, crumbly
texture.
15 30 31 1 5 Final evaluation,
compost is complete.

Figure 1. Compost Smell and Appearance Monitoring

Figure 2. Compost Temperature Monitoring

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Temperature Analysis

The temperature changes observed within the compost pile serve as a direct

indicator of microbial activity, providing valuable insight into the stages of

composting.

At the beginning of the process, the inside temperature of the compost pile

was recorded at 32°C. This temperature is within the lower range of the

mesophilic stage of composting, where microorganisms such as bacteria and

fungi begin to break down organic matter. The temperature at this stage is

not high enough to indicate intense microbial activity but is sufficient for the

initial stages of decomposition.

As microbial activity accelerated, the temperature began to rise gradually.

On Day 8, the internal temperature peaked at 45°C, marking the onset of the

thermophilic stage of composting. During this stage, the microbial

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community becomes more active, with thermophilic bacteria and fungi

thriving in the high heat. The increase in temperature is a direct result of the

high metabolic activity of these microbes, which rapidly break down organic

materials such as food scraps, banana peels, and pseudostem. Nitrogen-rich

materials, in particular, play a key role in stimulating microbial growth,

leading to the rapid increase in temperature.

The thermophilic stage is crucial because the elevated temperatures help kill

off pathogens, weed seeds, and other harmful organisms present in the

organic material. This stage typically lasts for a few days, with temperatures

reaching anywhere from 50°C to 60°C in ideal conditions. The observed 45°C

indicates that the composting process was progressing well, with the

microbial community breaking down materials at a fast rate.

After reaching its peak, the temperature began to decline, signaling the

transition to the cooling phase of composting. This decline in temperature

suggests that much of the easily degradable organic material, such as

sugars, proteins, and fats, had already been broken down. At this point, the

compost primarily contains more resistant components such as lignin and

cellulose, which are more difficult for microorganisms to decompose. The

cooling phase typically lasts longer and reflects the maturing phase of

composting.

By Day 15, the internal temperature stabilized at 30°C, which closely

mirrored the initial temperature. This stabilization indicates that the compost

had reached its final stages of decomposition and was ready for use. The
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reduction in temperature is often a sign that the compost is now in its

humus-like stage, with most of the organic material fully decomposed and

stabilized.

The temperature of the environment remained relatively stable throughout

the process, fluctuating between 31°C and 35°C. These external temperature

changes were minor and did not significantly influence the internal

temperature of the compost. The consistency of the internal temperature

changes further reinforces that the observed variations were due to microbial

activity within the compost pile rather than external environmental

conditions.

Smell Analysis

The smell intensity followed a predictable pattern, reflecting the stages of

microbial decomposition. In the early days of composting, the smell was

minimal, registering only a 1-2 on a scale of 5. During this period, microbial

activity was still relatively low, and the breakdown of organic materials had

not yet reached the point of releasing significant odor-producing gases.

As microbial metabolism intensified, especially with the presence of nitrogen-

rich materials like banana peels and vegetable scraps, the smell became

much more pronounced, reaching level 4 by Day 6. This increase in odor

intensity is primarily due to the release of gases such as ammonia, hydrogen

sulfide, and other volatile organic compounds. These gases are byproducts of
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the decomposition process, particularly during the thermophilic stage when

microorganisms break down proteins and nitrogenous compounds.

However, as the compost matured and the microbial community began to

stabilize, the smell began to lessen. By Day 11, the compost emitted a much

milder, earthy odor, characteristic of well-processed organic matter. This shift

in odor is a positive indicator that the compost was transitioning from an

active decomposition phase to a more stable, mature stage.

Color Analysis

The visual transformation of the compost pile also provided key insights into

its decomposition progress. Initially, the compost showed no clear signs of

decomposition, appearing as a mixture of raw organic materials with no

discernible changes. This is typical in the early stages when microbial activity

is just beginning.

By Day 5, signs of decomposition began to appear in the form of dark

patches scattered throughout the pile. These darkened areas signified the

breakdown of organic material and the production of humic substances. As

decomposition continued, the compost became more uniform in appearance,

and by Day 10, the pile was mostly homogenous in texture.

By Day 14, the compost had reached its characteristic dark brown, crumbly

texture, a clear sign of maturity. The presence of soil in the compost pile

likely played a role in promoting microbial diversity, facilitating the

breakdown of organic materials, and absorbing excess moisture. The soil

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may have also acted as a buffer, ensuring that the pile did not become too

acidic or too alkaline, both of which could inhibit microbial activity.

The transformation from raw, unprocessed materials to dark, crumbly

compost is a clear indicator of successful decomposition. The dark color and

crumbly texture are typical characteristics of mature compost, which is rich

in humus and ideal for use as a soil amendment.

Conclusion

The composting process successfully progressed through the

mesophilic, thermophilic, and maturation stages, as indicated by

temperature fluctuations, smell intensity, and color changes. The peak

temperature of 45°C confirmed active microbial decomposition, while the

subsequent decline signaled the stabilization of organic matter into humus.

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The initial strong odor due to nitrogen decomposition gradually subsided into

a mild, earthy scent, signifying maturity. Visual changes from raw scraps to a

uniform, dark brown, crumbly texture further validated the completion of the

process. These findings highlight the effectiveness of composting in

transforming organic waste into nutrient-rich humus, suitable for soil

enrichment and sustainable agriculture.

Recommendations

To enhance the efficiency of the composting process, it is advisable to

reduce the size of fruit scraps before adding them, as larger pieces

decompose more slowly, as observed on Day 4. Cutting the scraps into

smaller portions increases the surface area available for microbial activity,
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thereby accelerating decomposition. Additionally, it is important to avoid

adding excessive amounts of soil or humus, as this can hinder aeration and

slow microbial metabolism. The results of this study indicate that a soil-to-

waste ratio of 1:12.875 provided optimal conditions for microbial activity and

compost formation. Maintaining this ratio, along with regular turning of the

compost pile, will promote efficient decomposition, minimize odors, and yield

high-quality humus within 15 days.

Appendices

Picture Description
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The composting materials.

Weighing the composting

materials.
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Tearing up the paper and

cutting the other materials into
smaller pieces.

Mixing the compost materials.

Placing the compost material

into the vessel.

Data collection of the daily

temperature from outside and
inside the tank and taking note
the smell and appearance of the
compost.
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References

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Gaber, A., & Hossain, A. (2023). Foliar application of enriched banana
pseudostem sap influences the nutrient uptake, yield, and quality of
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Paul, N., Hasan, M. K., & Khan, M. N. U. (2015). Effect of different doses of
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