TITLE:
Recovery of Biodegradable Waste through Composting: Monitoring of Technical Parameters in a Windrow in Guinea
AUTHORS:
Mamadou Yaya Balde, Mamadou Aliou II Diallo, Thierno Boubacar Bah, Hamidou Bah, Mamadou Oury 2 Diallo, Dian Foula Diallo, Mamadouba Bangaly Camara, Hassanatou Barry
KEYWORDS:
Composting, Windrow, Biodegradable Waste, Temperature, Moisture, C/N Ratio, Guinea, Organic Recovery
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.17 No.10,
October
20,
2026
ABSTRACT: Composting is one of the most effective methods for recycling biodegradable waste, particularly in developing countries where municipal solid waste management poses a major environmental challenge. This study focuses on the technical monitoring of an open windrow comprising 4 metric tons of sorted biodegradable waste, established on a 36 m2 platform in Conakry (Guinea) over a 69-day cycle. The initial mixture was prepared on a fresh-mass basis by alternating layers of carbon-rich feedstocks (1818 kg; sawdust, dry leaves, cardboard, paper) and nitrogen-rich feedstocks (2182 kg; cow manure, fruit waste, organic household waste, fresh leaves) targeted to achieve an optimal recipe for biological stabilization. Three mechanical turnings were carried out on days 15, 28 and 48 to ensure oxygenation and homogenization of the decomposing mass. Daily monitoring focused on ambient temperature and windrow temperature, the amount of water applied and the moisture content. Four successive stages of decomposition were observed: mesophilic, advanced mesophilic, thermophilic and maturation. Maximum temperatures exceeded 55˚C at the windrow core during the thermophilic stage (maintained above 55˚C for 5 consecutive days), creating thermal conditions compatible with the sanitization requirements of international composting standards. The maturation phase (D48-D69) was characterized by the windrow temperature converging towards ambient temperature and a decrease in moisture content. Following shredding and sieving (D77-D80), 1500 kg of fine compost was obtained, representing a yield of 37.5%. The correlations between temperature, the amount of water applied and moisture content reveal an interdependent dynamic reflecting microbial activity and heat exchange within the windrow.