IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2022i1p312-d1014376.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Composting of Organic Solid Waste of Municipal Origin: The Role of Research in Enhancing Its Sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Grazia Policastro

    (Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
    Telematic University Pegaso, 80132 Naples, Italy)

  • Alessandra Cesaro

    (Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy)

Abstract

The organic solid waste of municipal origin stands as one of the residual streams of greatest concern: the great amounts continuously produced over time as well as its biochemical and physical characteristics require its proper handling via biological processes, pursuing the recovery of material and/or the generation of energy. At the European level, most of the industrial plants treating the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) rely on composting, which is a well-established and reliable process that is easy to operate in different socio-economic contexts. Nevertheless, when regarded in a life cycle perspective as well as in the view of the principles of circular economy underlying waste management, several issues (e.g., the presence of toxic substances in compost) can be recognized as technical challenges, requiring further studies to identify possible sustainable solutions. This work aims at discussing these challenges and figuring out the state of the art of composting in a circular perspective. Firstly, the main mentioned issues affecting compost quality and process sustainability are briefly reviewed. Next, to promote the effective use of composting in light of the circular economy principles, research experiences are critically presented to highlight the current technical challenges concerning the environmental and health impact reduction and possible scientific perspectives to overcome issues affecting the compost quality. Based on the critical analysis of reviewed studies, it emerged that further research should be aimed at unveiling the hazard potential of emerging contaminants as well as to address the understanding of the mechanisms underlying their potential removal during composting. Moreover, the adoption of a multidisciplinary perspective in the design of research studies may play a key role towards the definition of cost-effective and environmentally friendly strategies to overcome the technical issues affecting the process.

Suggested Citation

  • Grazia Policastro & Alessandra Cesaro, 2022. "Composting of Organic Solid Waste of Municipal Origin: The Role of Research in Enhancing Its Sustainability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2022:i:1:p:312-:d:1014376
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/1/312/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/1/312/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Konstantia-Ekaterini Lasaridi & Thrassyvoulos Manios & Stamatis Stamatiadis & Christina Chroni & Adamantini Kyriacou, 2018. "The Evaluation of Hazards to Man and the Environment during the Composting of Sewage Sludge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-13, July.
    2. Modupe Stella Ayilara & Oluwaseyi Samuel Olanrewaju & Olubukola Oluranti Babalola & Olu Odeyemi, 2020. "Waste Management through Composting: Challenges and Potentials," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-23, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jain, Harshita, 2024. "From pollution to progress: Groundbreaking advances in clean technology unveiled," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 3(2).
    2. Wojciech Rzeźnik & Ilona Rzeźnik & Paulina Mielcarek-Bocheńska & Mateusz Urbański, 2023. "Air Pollutants Emission during Co-Combustion of Animal Manure and Wood Pellets in 15 kW Boiler," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-17, September.
    3. Rose Daphnee Tchonkouang & Helen Onyeaka & Taghi Miri, 2023. "From Waste to Plate: Exploring the Impact of Food Waste Valorisation on Achieving Zero Hunger," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-21, July.
    4. Dar, Rouf Ahmad & Tsui, To-Hung & Zhang, Le & Tong, Yen Wah & Sharon, Sigal & Shoseyov, Oded & Liu, Ronghou, 2024. "Fermentation of organic wastes through oleaginous microorganisms for lipid production - Challenges and opportunities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    5. Sana Shahab & Mohd Anjum, 2022. "Solid Waste Management Scenario in India and Illegal Dump Detection Using Deep Learning: An AI Approach towards the Sustainable Waste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-28, November.
    6. Stephen Tangwe & Patrick Mukumba & Golden Makaka, 2022. "Comparison of the Prediction Accuracy of Total Viable Bacteria Counts in a Batch Balloon Digester Charged with Cow Manure: Multiple Linear Regression and Non-Linear Regression Models," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-23, October.
    7. Muhammad Rifqi Ismiraj & Asri Wulansari & Yadi Setiadi & Aditia Pratama & Novi Mayasari, 2023. "Perceptions of Community-Based Waste Bank Operators and Customers on Its Establishment and Operationalization: Cases in Pangandaran, Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-14, July.
    8. Maria Triassi & Bruna De Simone & Paolo Montuori & Immacolata Russo & Elvira De Rosa & Fabiana Di Duca & Claudio Crivaro & Vittorio Cerullo & Patrizia Pontillo & Sergi Díez, 2023. "Determination of Residual Municipal Solid Waste Composition from Rural and Urban Areas: A Step toward the Optimization of a Waste Management System for Efficient Material Recovery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-21, September.
    9. Piotr Sołowiej & Patrycja Pochwatka & Agnieszka Wawrzyniak & Krzysztof Łapiński & Andrzej Lewicki & Jacek Dach, 2021. "The Effect of Heat Removal during Thermophilic Phase on Energetic Aspects of Biowaste Composting Process," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-14, February.
    10. Ewa Neczaj & Anna Grosser & Anna Grobelak & Piotr Celary & Bal Ram Singh, 2021. "Conversion of Sewage Sludge and Other Biodegradable Waste into High-Value Soil Amendment within a Circular Bioeconomy Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-17, October.
    11. Safar, Korai Muhammad & Bux, Mahar Rasool & Faria, Uqaili & Pervez, Shaikh, 2021. "Integrated model of municipal solid waste management for energy recovery in Pakistan," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).
    12. Fuad Ameen & Ali A. Al-Homaidan, 2020. "Compost Inoculated with Fungi from a Mangrove Habitat Improved the Growth and Disease Defense of Vegetable Plants," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
    13. Gulnar Sugurbekova & Elvira Nagyzbekkyzy & Ainur Sarsenova & Gaziza Danlybayeva & Sandugash Anuarbekova & Rabiga Kudaibergenova & Céline Frochot & Samir Acherar & Yerlan Zhatkanbayev & Nazira Moldagul, 2023. "Sewage Sludge Management and Application in the Form of Sustainable Fertilizer," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-15, April.
    14. Stephen Tangwe & Patrick Mukumba & Golden Makaka, 2022. "Design and Employing of a Non-Linear Response Surface Model to Predict the Microbial Loads in Anaerobic Digestion of Cow Manure: Batch Balloon Digester," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-25, October.
    15. Yuan Liu & Jiahui Liu & Hongyan Cheng & Yuan Luo & Kokyo Oh & Xiangzhuo Meng & Haibo Zhang & Na Liu & Mingchang Chang, 2022. "Seedling Establishment Test for the Comprehensive Evaluation of Compost Phytotoxicity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-15, September.
    16. Hülya Sayğı, 2023. "Effect of Municipal Solid Waste Compost on Yield, Plant Growth and Nutrient Elements in Strawberry Cultivation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-18, June.
    17. Vincenzo Torretta & Athanasia K. Tolkou & Ioannis A. Katsoyiannis & Francesca Maria Caccamo & Marco Carnevale Miino & Marco Baldi & Maria Cristina Collivignarelli, 2021. "Enhancement of Methanogenic Activity in Volumetrically Undersized Reactor by Mesophilic Co-Digestion of Sewage Sludge and Aqueous Residue," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-11, July.
    18. Shaik Vaseem Akram & Rajesh Singh & Anita Gehlot & Mamoon Rashid & Ahmed Saeed AlGhamdi & Sultan S. Alshamrani & Deepak Prashar, 2021. "Role of Wireless Aided Technologies in the Solid Waste Management: A Comprehensive Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-31, November.
    19. Cenwei Liu & Yi Lin & Jing Ye & Gordon W. Price & Yixiang Wang, 2023. "Effect of Bamboo Vinegar on Control of Nitrogen Loss in Vegetable Waste and Manure Composting," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-17, June.
    20. Modupe Stella Ayilara & Oluwaseyi Samuel Olanrewaju & Olubukola Oluranti Babalola & Olu Odeyemi, 2020. "Waste Management through Composting: Challenges and Potentials," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-23, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2022:i:1:p:312-:d:1014376. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.