In this work, the focus was for the integration of composting and vermicomposting processes to optimize the recycling of solid wastes. Each treatment received a total volume of 40 cm3 of waste. The experiments were conducted in two stages: the first consisted in pre-composting solid waste vegetables with addition of manure or sawdust. The irrigation and coating of windrows at this stage were conducted after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days from the beginning, and the temperature was monitored. In the second stage, the treatments obtained from the first stage were tested with and without earthworms. The experiments were placed in wooden boxes of 60 cm³ in size, and the treatments without earthworms were placed in windrows and scrambled every 7 days. In the treatments with earthworms were added 200-400 adult worms, Eisenia foetida. During the process the C/N ratio, temperature variation, moisture content, pH, total organic matter, total carbon, humic acid content, total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were evaluated. In the first stage of the process, which is the thermal stabilization of residues in the different treatments, the maximum temperature reached 35, 53 and 51°C on the 14th day, respectively in RV, RVM e RVE treatments. In the second stage, after 56 days, the ambient temperature was reached; the organic wastes were then laid to reach full maturity for 98 more days. The final pH was in the range from 6.74 to 8.90. The C/N ratio of the RVE treatment and the RVM treatment was initially around 34/1 and 184/1 and after 98 days they was around 17/1 and 34/1 using the vermicomposting.
recycling; organic waste; earthworms
