The goal of this research was to investigate the effects of aeration and C:N ratio on the composting of Egyptian residential waste. Controlling aeration and carbon to nitrogen ratio may help in enhancing the performance of the composting process. Three airflow rates (0.000, 0.003 and 0.006 m 3 /h/kg) and carbon to nitrogen ratio (11, 26 and 39) were studied using a laboratory scale composting unit. Increasing the compost time resulted in a peak of the temperature up to the thermophilic range between the second to third weeks. The compost temperature reached its maximum value of 68°C at the aeration level of 0.003 m 3 /h/kg and C:N ratio of 26. At this temperature, the plant and animal pathogens may be killed or at least suppressed to acceptable levels. Moisture content of compost material was reduced during the composting process. The reduction of the moisture content of the compost material due to change in C:N ratio was small except in the case of no aeration. Moisture content reached its minimum value of 20% d.b after four weeks at aeration level of 0.006 m 3 /h/kg and C:N ratio of 39. The pH values of the household waste were near neutral showing insignificant increase with composting time. At the lower level of initial C:N ratio (11), composting time did not affect the C:N ratios. The maximum reduction of the C:N value (33.1%) was observed with aeration rate of 0.003 m 3 /h/kg and initial C:N of 39.

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