Home Bio-Waste Composting for the Circular Economy

Abstract

The consequence of the current economic development model is the generation of large amounts of waste and energy losses. One way to change this negative trend is a more rational use of raw materials reducing the amount of generated wastes. Biowaste, which may be divided into garden and kitchen waste, constitutes the main part of municipal waste. At the household level, it can be managed through composting—the most sustainable way of biowaste management. In this context, this paper aims to assess the economic and environmental effects of implementing the home composting incentive program introduced by one of the municipalities near Warsaw (Poland). The study is based on the estimation of the amount of biowaste generated in the commune, as well as on the number of households with the potential to compost biowastes. The effects of implementing the composting program were evaluated at different participation levels. The cartographic-based methods (GIS) were used in the analyses. Additionally, willingness to accept home composting by residents and its main determinants were examined. The results of the study indicate that the changes in the current household biodegradable waste management model are practicable and generate positive economic and environmental effects. However, the promotion of home composting requires active support from the local authorities, both in the financial dimension and by increasing residents’ environmental awareness.

Decentralized Composting of Food Waste: A Perspective on Scientific Knowledge

“…Other studies showed the biodegradation in a home composting environment of fully green composites produced by reinforcing bio-based and biodegradable matrices with success (Pantaloni et al, 2020) and compostable diapers as a first step prior to full-scale composting (Colón et al, 2013). In conclusion, it is evident that the changes in the current household biodegradable waste management introduced by home composting generate positive economic and environmental effects, this strategy being in accordance with circular economy principles (Sulewski et al, 2021).…”

Waste Composting as an Effort to Realize Kelusa, Payangan, Gianyar-Bali Village as an Ecotourism Village

“…This can help reduce unemployment and increase people's economic independence. According to Sulewski et al (2021), the management of household waste into compost has a positive economic and environmental impact. The problem is that the promotion of home-level composting requires active support from local governments, both in the financial dimension and by increasing the environmental awareness of residents.…”

“…Composting is the most sustainable way of waste management, where composting becomes an effort to use raw materials more rationally while reducing the amount of waste produced (Sulewski et al, 2021). Making maximum use of waste indirectly avoids resource depletion and improves the quality of life for the community (Hoa & Khanh, 2021) (Hoa & Khanh, 2021).…”

“…Making maximum use of waste indirectly avoids resource depletion and improves the quality of life for the community (Hoa & Khanh, 2021) (Hoa & Khanh, 2021). Building citizen awareness is essential in promoting the circular economy model, which is one way to reduce resource consumption to realize sustainable development (Sulewski et al, 2021). The circular economy strategy will provide additional waste treatment methods for waste management and increase the value of by-products (Li et al, 2016).…”

Composting of stabilized municipal sewage sludge with residues from agri-food processing in Poland

“…extensive sources of humus-forming organic matter and nutrients needed by plants while composting these resources into valuable and safe fertilisers restore the soil's value (Piwowar, 2013). In addition, it should be noted that the management of sewage sludge and waste from agri-food processing is part of Poland's environmental policy and the concept of circular economy, which has been a priority in European Union countries since 2015 (Sulewski et al, 2021). In addition, considering the current social and economic situation in Poland and other European Union countries, attention should be paid to the increasing prices of mineral fertilisers and their availability.…”