International Research Journal of Environment Sciences________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 4(8), 22-25, August (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 22 Liquid Fertilizer from Food Waste - A Sustainable Approach Syeda Azeem Unnisa Department of Environmental Science, University College of Science, Osmania University, Telangana State, Hyderabad , INDIAAvailable online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 16th April 2015, revised 29th May 2015, accepted 8th July 2015 AbstractFood waste actually has a good potential if it is processed into organic liquid fertilizer rather throwing away. The present research study deals with conversion of food waste generated from restaurants, marriage halls and hotels into organic liquid fertilizer through anaerobic process in the Cherlapally Industrial Area for improving service level benchmarks as designed by the Ministry of Environment and Forest. The food waste was processed in a closed container along with addition of molasses in anaerobic conditions where after 72 hours the food waste started converting into organic liquid fertilizer and a by-product as pulp. The NPK values were analyzed in the liquid fertilizer which showed N-1.15 %, P- 0.308% and K- 0.7% and in pulp N-0.39%, P-0.159% and K-0.51%. Pot culture experiments in triplicate were conducted to test the toxicity of the organic liquid fertilizer for seed germination. Liquid fertilizer has many advantages because of easy process, inexpensive and no side effects. The resulting benefits are very likely to fertilize crops, to maintain the stability of nutrient elements in the soil and reducing the bad impacts of chemical fertilizers. In addition to a liquid fertilizer that can be sold in the market, liquid fertilizer can be used for agriculture purpose or in the premises for plantation. Keywords: Food waste, liquid fertilizer, service level benchmarks, manure. Introduction The increased food wastegeneration is a global problem. The food waste generation has several facets, which is understood by its quantity and nature of food waste generated across all phases of the food production and consumption cycle. Majority of the stakeholders are concerned about the impact of food waste which has on generation of methane and carbon dioxide which are green house gases 1. The leftover food waste it smells bad and attracts rodents and insects which has significant impact on public health. The major cost of municipal waste management range from 75% to 80% of a municipal waste budget and additional 30% cost for landfilling. During land filling the green house gases are generated and energy value along with soil nutrient value is lost during landfilling. Segregation of food waste at source has the potential to decrease greenhouse gas emission and there will be no adverse impact on public health . Presently the food waste is disposed of at landfill along with other municipal solid waste. The earlier data reveals that in 2012 nearly 9,278 tonnes of municipal solid waste was disposed at landfills each day, where about 3,337 tonnes is only food waste. Nearly 809 tonnes of food waste was generated from restaurants, hotels, wet markets, food production and processing industries on the daily basis. The food waste is rich in organic content, but the current practice of disposing food waste at landfill is not environmentally friendly and sustainable. The ladfill practice is reducing land space, creating odor, leachate generation and green house gases emission . Out of total municipal solid waste generated nearly on average 20 to 30% remains uncollected which creates health hazards. Due to increase environmental concern more emphasis is laid on recycling and reuse of waste. Due to the high cost involved the municipalities and corporations are unable to manage the municipal waste in integrated manner. Whereas, the non- government organizations and other private agencies has come forward to provide services for municipal solid waste management through public private partnership (PPP). The NGOs are providing these services towards collection, segregation, recycling, composting and bio-gas generation . As part of the reform the Ministry of Environment and Forest has initiated Municipal solid waste management and handling rules 2000 aiming at standardization and enforcement of solid waste in urban areas. The rules highlights that every municipal corporation and municipalities are responsible for the implementation of rules for proper collection, segregation, processing and disposal of waste. The present study is depended on the anaerobic digestion process in which microbes breakdown organic matter in the absence of oxygen. The anaerobic digestion starts with bacterial hydrolysis with initial organic matter where in-soluble polymers, such as carbohydrates are broken down to soluble derivatives that become avialble to other bacteria. The acidogenic bacteria converts the amino acids and sugars into carbon dioxide, hydrogen, ammonia and organic acids, further the methanogenic bacteria converts these products into methane