Characterization of municipal solid waste (Zambia)

This research explored the chemical and biological characteristics of municipal solid waste (MSW) at Chunga Landfill in Lusaka city in Zambia and analyzed the potential for reuse of the MSW as compost. During the study, MSW was obtained from cell 2 where no fresh MSW was added for one year. Parameters used to assess the quality of the MSW were pH, electric conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, cadmium, lead, chromium, copper, zinc, presence of Salmonella spp. E. coli, faecal coliforms and viable Ascaris ova. Results indicated pH 7.94 ± 0.01, EC 6.46 ± 0.03 mS/cm, OM 6.76 ± 0.02%, total nitrogen 0.77 ± 0.01%, phosphorous 0.53 ± 0.04%, potassium 0.88 ± 0.03%, copper 156.8 ± 5.52 mg/kg, zinc 207.83 ± 18.60 mg/kg, cadmium 4.63 ± 0.94 mg/kg, chromium 60.7 ± 0.57 mg/kg, lead 109.58 ± 8.92 mg/kg, faecal coliforms >1,100 MPN/g, E. coli >1,100 MPN/g, Salmonella not detected per 25g and Ascaris was non-viable. The MSW characteristics with regard to pH, EC and heavy metals were within the stipulated values for matured compost and FAO standards for organic fertilizer while OM, NPK and biological characteristics were below. The MSW may be applied as compost on low value crops and as a soil conditioner.