Factors Influencing Adoption of Compost Made from Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste and Purchasing Pattern: A Survey of Italian Professional and Hobbyist Users

Abstract

Composting represents an alternative for the management of the organic fraction from municipal waste. However, the adoption of compost made from municipal waste is not yet widespread across all European countries, including Italy. Being ‘professional’ (i.e., farmers and gardeners) and ‘hobbyists’ the most representative categories of compost buyers in Italy, this study investigated their attitude toward municipal waste compost adoption and their purchasing pattern, pointing out criticalities and strategies to promote a wider use of this kind of compost. For the two categories of users, frequency of use of different information, buying habits, opinions on marketing issues, and factors which encourage compost utilization were investigated. The ‘professionals’ and ‘hobbyists’ reported different purchasing behaviors in terms of quantity, frequency, and preferred packaging format. The capability of compost from municipal waste to improve soil characteristics and its low environmental impact were identified as the most significant aspects for users, while availability of economic subsidies was not a determining factor for municipal waste compost adoption. With regard to the information sources, the broader use of personal communication channels like peers’ suggestions may have influence on compost adoption pointing out how social influence can promote sustainable behavior and influence users’ purchasing choices.

The potential use of brewers' spent grain-based substrates as horticultural bio-fertilizers

“…In this context, composting (Tabrika et al, 2020;Vigoroso et al, 2021;Al-Tawarah et al, 2024), vermicomposting (Saba et al, 2019;Bianco et al, 2022), and biochar production (Choi et al, 2018;Manolikaki and Diamadopoulos, 2020;Xi et al, 2020) could serve as viable alternatives for organic waste management. These methods not only reduce landfill disposal but also facilitate the recycling of agronomic macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and enhance carbon sequestration through their application in agriculture (Moretti et al, 2020).…”

The Circular Economy as an Axis of Agricultural and Rural Development: The Case of the Municipality of Almócita (Almería, Spain)

“…These processes, such as the use of own compost, can help and provide new lines of research within the CE and related areas, creating new synergies and deposits such as the one followed by slaughterhouse waste [99] by applying several technologies since one cannot finish with all pathogens [100]. This model of life is permeating society and slowly this generalizing influence is helping to create a more sustainable behaviour that promotes CC-based business models, such as the sale of organic compost [101], although further research of a practical nature is needed [102].…”

Municipal Solid Waste Collection and Haulage Modeling Design for Lahore, Pakistan: Transition toward Sustainability and Circular Economy

“…The objective of the economic modeling [60] of the proposed municipal waste treatment options is to determine the cost of the establishment of the facility, its operations, related revenue from the sale of products and environmental benefits in terms of monetary value. The MRF will assist in revenue generation and the associated environmental benefits by diverting waste into three streams, i.e., compost [61], biogas and recovery of recyclables. Methane recovery at a landfill site will also help with the monetary benefit.…”