Reducing Ammonia Emission during Food Waste Composting and Enhancing Compost Quality Using Different Additives

The generation of food waste (FW) is escalating globally. FW can be transformed into a profitable product, i.e., compost and achieve zero waste. Overcoming such difficulties is needed for improving compost quality and the promotion of sustainable waste management practices. The study reports the effectiveness of various additives to increase the quality of compost. Results reveal that the adjustment of pH to 7, 6, and 5 decreases the emission of ammonia by 20%, 45%, and 55%, respectively. Germination index for tomato seeds is 142%. The germination rate for all seeds is 100%. The compost application in agricultural soil enhances total phosphorus by 2%, total nitrogen by 1.4%, and total potassium by 2.4%. The bulk density of quality compost is 1.2 g cm^-3. The study suggests the way to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 12 and 13 by promoting sustainable methods that minimize organic waste and decrease ammonia emissions to alleviate the effects of climate change.