Environmental assessment of composting in the context of sustainable waste management

Translating the gained knowledge about waste management into strategies, attitudes and processes that maintain resources and minimise negative environmental impact constitutes a challenging but inevitable goal. Focusing especially on biodegradable waste, the New Paradigm for sustainable waste management carries an increasing demand for biological treatment. Composting still constitutes the preferred option for biological treatment provided that a high compost quality can be ensured. It may play an important role in the diversion of biowaste from landfills, which accounts for approximately half of the municipal solid waste. Full scale composting is considered as a recycling action, while home composting can be deemed as a waste prevention action. � 2014 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.