Pregledni rad

Economic Sustainability of Composting Municipal Solid Waste: A Review

Franjo Nemet orcid.org/0000-0003-1912-599X ; Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek *
Aleksandra Lesjak ; Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek
Zdenko Lončarić orcid.org/0000-0003-4927-3969 ; Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek

* Dopisni autor.

Sažetak

The increase in population, especially in countries with weaker economic development, leads to an increase in the amount of solid municipal waste, especially organic components. The increase in solid municipal waste requires more and more space for its disposal. Composting could be one of the most environmentally and economically acceptable methods of disposing of solid municipal waste, which would produce a product (compost) suitable for use in agricultural production. The economic sustainability of composting depends on investment costs, labor costs, system organization, market value of compost and local business conditions. The analyzed literature shows significant differences in the economic success of different composting systems. Decentralized systems achieved a return on investment within 10 years, while some centralized windrow systems had a return on investment period of 55 years. Composting plants require significant initial investments and operating costs, which is why the economic sustainability of the process is an important factor in their application. The research was conducted by reviewing the relevant scientific literature and applying the thematic analysis approach to 53 scientific publications. The results show that investment costs, labor costs, system organization and the possibility of placing compost on the market are key factors in economic sustainability. Bioreactor systems achieved the highest compost sales prices and shorter payback periods compared to windrow systems. The results indicate that the economic viability of composting does not depend solely on the technology used, but on a combination of financial, organizational and market factors that determine the long-term profitability of the system. The aim of the paper was to demonstrate the economic viability of composting municipal solid waste by reviewing the relevant scientific literature.

Ključne riječi

economic sustainability; solid municipal waste; composting

Hrčak ID:

349866

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/349866

Datum izdavanja:

28.7.2026.

Posjeta: 0 *