Vermicomposting Solid Paper Pulp Mill Sludge: a Three Stages Biodegradative Process

The treatment of wastewater generated through paper pulp production produces large amounts of sludges; management of these residues constitutes an important environmental problem for this industry. To date, most of these sludges were landfilled or incinerated, but this only constitutes a partial solution. Incineration in the biomass boiler produces toxics and ashes and requires energy supply from these factories, and landfilling is not reliable for a long time. Thus, this waste should be recycled and exploited like an important source of organic matter.