• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.131-140
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• 2000

Compostable household wastes(mainly food residues) were composted in a small bin for 30 days, in which compostable household wastes were fed every day and mixed thoroughly under aerobic conditions. Three small bins were employed. In the first bin only recycled compost was composted, in the second, compostable household wastes with recycled compost, and in the third compostable household wastes with recycled compost and vermiculture. The correct decomposition rate of each composting material was calculated during composting. Total reduced rate of the weight after 30 days was 57.32% when composting the compostable household wastes with recycled compost, and 64.71% when composting them with recycled compost and vermiculite. In the case of composting the compostable household wastes with the recycled compost, the total weight reduction rate for a day was 6.81% and the total decomposition rate 6.81%. Their difference was not great. But in the case calculated with only compostable household wastes the total weight reduction rate was 56.34% and the decomposition 6.79%. When compostable household wastes were composted with the recycled compost and vermiculite, the total weight reduction rate was 64.99% and the decomposition rate 1.48%, but the total weight reduction 4.36% and the decomposition rate 35.46% when calculated with only compostable household wastes. MgO, $K_2O$ and Cr concentrations in the composting mixture during the early composting time were higher when composted with vermiculite than without it, but organic matter, CaO, NaCl, and $P_2O_5$ concentrations were contrarily diluted because of their lower concentration of vermiculite when compostable household wastes were composted with vermiculite.