Deepika Mishra, Roshini Bajaj, Pakkala Ruchitha, Jiwan Singh
Department of Environmental Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow-226025, India
Cite this article: Mishra, D., Bajaj, R., Ruchitha, P., Singh, J., 2026. A review on production and characterization of compost from flower waste and its role in enhancing soil fertility. J. Appl. Sci. Innov. Technol. 5 (1), 22-30.
Abstract
India generates an estimated 8 million tonnes of floral waste annually, mainly from
religious places, festivals, weddings, floriculture, and commercial flower markets.
With approximately 108,000 temples and mosques, large quantities of flowers are
offered daily and are often discarded into rivers, lakes, or landfills after use. Improper
disposal of floral waste contributes to foul odors, greenhouse gas emissions, water
pollution, eutrophication, and ecological degradation, with waste generation
increasing significantly during major festivals. Despite these challenges, floral waste
is a biodegradable biomass rich in organic matter, cellulose, lignocellulosic
compounds, essential oils, natural pigments, and other bioactive constituents, making
it a valuable renewable resource. Instead of being treated as waste, it can be converted
into a range of value-added products, including compost, vermicompost, biofertilizers,
biogas, biofuels, natural dyes, essential oils, incense sticks, soaps, handmade paper,
and eco-friendly Holi colours. Such resource recovery supports sustainable waste
management while promoting a circular economy. Among the available recycling
methods, vermicomposting has emerged as one of the most efficient, economical, and
environmentally friendly approaches for recycling floral waste into nutrient-rich
organic manure. The integration of rotary drum composting as a pre-composting step
accelerates decomposition, improves substrate stabilization, and enhances
vermicomposting efficiency. This integrated approach not only reduces environmental
pollution but also improves soil fertility, supports sustainable agriculture, and
generates livelihood opportunities, particularly for women and rural communities.
This review highlights recent advances in floral waste management through
composting and vermicomposting, with particular emphasis on rotary drum
composting technology as an effective strategy for sustainable floral waste utilization
in India.
Keywords: MPs. Aquatic ecosystems, Plastic pollution, Freshwater, Marine environment, Ecotoxicology. Nanoplastics
Scope: Environmental Science & Technology
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