Composting is one option for managing some types of waste in society, with some of the more common waste management options being landfill, recycling and incineration.
In this guide, we list the potential pros and cons of composting.
Summary – Pros & Cons Of Composting
Potential Pros
A summary list of the potential pros outlined in the guide below include:
There’s Different Scales Of Composting
There’s Different Types & Methods Of Composting, & Each Has Different Benefits & Features
Aerobic Composting May Have A More Favorable Greenhouse Gas Emission Footprint Than Anaerobic Breakdown Of Organic Material
Composting Under More Anaerobic Conditions May Still Have Some Benefits
Composting Can Produce Soil Organic Matter Or Humus, Which Have Several Potential Benefits For Soil, & Also Growing Things In Soil
Composting May Help Save Resources, Increase Sustainability, & Increase Yield Ratios In Some Instances
Some Composting Methods Require Minimal Labor
Large Scale & Commercial Composting Sites Have Standards To Meet In Some Countries
Odors From Compost Piles Can Be Managed In Several Ways
New Materials Are Being Developed That Can Decompose & Be Composted
Provides A Waste Management Option For Organic Matter Instead Of Landfills
There Can Be Several Benefits To ‘On-Farm’ Composting
Potential Cons
A summary list of the potential cons outlined in the guide below include:
Composting Can’t Be Used For A Wide Range Of Waste Types
Composting In More Aerobic Conditions Still Emits Carbon Dioxide
Can Increase Cost Of Public Waste Collection Programs
Potential Contamination Issues
Potential Hygiene, & Health & Safety Issues
It Takes Knowledge & The Right Practices To Develop A Beneficial Compost Mix For Soils
Some Composting Techniques & Methods Require More Time, Labor & Maintenance Than Others
Setting Up A Large Scale Composting Site Can Have Several Challenges
Smell Can Be An Issue
Can Attract Pests
Some Open Compost Heaps Can Look Ugly
Can Take Up Extra Space In Homes
What Waste Management Options Are Most Commonly Being Used By Cities Worldwide Right Now?
But, these cities seem to be the exception at this point in time.
The reality is that many countries and cities currently rely on landfills to dispose of a significant % of their general waste (compared to recycling and incineration), and the same trend follows with the majority of some specific materials like plastic also going to landfill.
Even if composting rates increase in the future, it might be accurate to say that landfills are at least an important part of the short to medium term waste management strategies of many cities.
Potential Pros Of Composting
There’s Different Scales Of Composting
Composting can be carried out on a household level with small compost piles or bins, using common household waste like food waste and yard trimmings for example.
But, large commercial and industrial scale composting facilities can also be set up to compost on a much larger level.
There’s Different Types & Methods Of Composting, & Each Has Different Benefits & Features
For example, there’s aerobic, anaerobic, and vermicomposting as three as the main types of composting.
There’s also other types of composting, and different methods/ways to carry out these composting processes.
We’ve listed and explained these different composting types and methods in this guide.
Aerobic Composting May Have A More Favorable Greenhouse Gas Emission Footprint Than Anaerobic Breakdown Of Organic Material
agric.wa.gov.au indicates that aerobic composting ‘… reduces or prevents the release of methane during organic matter breakdown … because methane-producing microbes are not active in the presence of oxygen’.
Organic material that decomposes in anaerobic conditions releases more methane, and this is noteworthy because methane is reported to have a higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide
Therefore, composting practices that minimise anaerobic conditions and maximise aerobic conditions might be the most effective at reducing greenhouse gas emissions
agric.wa.gov.au also notes that ‘Anaerobic fermentation is common in landfill and open stockpiles such as manure piles’
Composting Under More Anaerobic Conditions May Still Have Some Benefits
co2meter.com indicates that anaerobic digestion has ‘… the advantage of being highly efficient and [producing] biogas for power generation or heating. In addition, the bio-solids remaining after the digester process can be sold as a high quality fertilizer’
co2meter.com also indicates that anaerobic composting is ‘… commonly used to treat human effluent and other livestock waste’
Composting Can Produce Soil Organic Matter Or Humus, Which Have Several Potential Benefits For Soil, & Also Growing Things In Soil
As gardeningchores.com points out, composting identifies the stages or stage of decomposition of organic matter, whereas ‘humus’ is the end result of decomposition.
‘Humus’ is produced from composting in the form of dark organic matter via anaerobic bacteria.
hotbincomposting.com indicates that ‘humus’ has several benefits: ‘[Humus] has many nutrients that improve the health of the soil and improves the formation of good soil structure. Humus also helps the soil retain moisture [and become more drought resistant …] Soil science indicates humus is one of the most important items in soil fertility’
wikipedia.org also outlines some of the benefits of soil organic matter from composting, and also humus
agric.wa.gov.au also lists the various potential co-benefits (to improve soil productive capacity) when compost is applied to agricultural land
Composting May Help Save Resources, Increase Sustainability, & Increase Yield Ratios In Some Instances
Using compost and humus for better soil health, soil fertility, water retention, and nutrients, may help save on inputs such as water and synthetic fertilizer in some instances.
This may help increase the input to yield ratios, and also sustainability as a result.
Some Composting Methods Require Minimal Labor
co2meter.com indicates that the ‘in vessel’ composting technique is one example of a composting method that might only need minimal labor, and turns solid organic waste into compost in 4 days.
They give a more detailed description of this technique in their resource.
Large Scale & Commercial Composting Sites Have Standards To Meet In Some Countries
Siting, designing, approval, licensing and operation requirements in some countries mean that large scale and commercial composting operations have to meet certain standards (for quality, safety, etc) when it comes to waste management, and compost mix production (along with any other form of production).
Odors From Compost Piles Can Be Managed In Several Ways
Some of those ways might include but aren’t limited to:
– Turning The Compost Pile Periodically
This helps add oxygen to, and aerate the organic matter
– Adding Brown Matter Instead Of Having All Green Matter In The Compost
Or, adding some dry matter in addition to the wet matter.
What to add depends on the desired outcome of the composting heap, but leaves, straw, dolomite lime, and other materials and additives are things that have been added to compost n the past
– Using Specifically Designed Compost Bins
Where a bin is used instead of an open compost pile, some people use specifically designed compost bins with tops/lids
Some of these bins have filters too
– Composting Bin Liners
To combat smelly and dirty composting bins, some people use bin liners in compost bins
New Materials Are Being Developed That Can Decompose & Be Composted
For example, some types of bioplastic might be able to decompose and compost under specific conditions.
Some fashion brands are looking at developing compostable clothing such as brands that are looking at developing compostable jeans
Provides A Waste Management Option For Organic Matter Instead Of Landfills
In cities and towns where composting isn’t available, organic matter like food waste ends up in landfills.
Organic matter in landfills may decompose mostly under anaerobic conditions, and produce more methane.
agric.wa.gov.au indicates that ‘Composting offers an environmentally superior alternative to using organic material for landfill because composting reduces methane production’
There Can Be Several Benefits To ‘On-Farm’ Composting
This is the composting of animal manures and agricultural waste by farmers.
agric.wa.gov.au lists the various potential benefits of ‘on-farm’ composting in their resource
Potential Cons Of Composting
Composting Can’t Be Used For A Wide Range Of Waste Types
Other waste management options like landfill and even incineration can be used to manage a wide range of different waste types.
Composting on the other hand is mostly for organic matter, and materials that break down under specific composting conditions only.
agric.wa.gov.au indicates that ‘Organic wastes that can be composted include agricultural and forestry residue, manure, food processing, kitchen and garden waste, and biosolids (organic solids from treated sewage)
Composting In More Aerobic Conditions Still Emits Carbon Dioxide
co2meter.com indicates that although composting under more aerobic conditions produces less methane, it still produces carbon dioxide.
The more oxygen available, the more CO2 is produced.
Can Increase Cost Of Public Waste Collection Programs
Just like general waste bins are provided for general waste streams, and recycling bins for recycling waste streams, an organic waste bin is provided for composting waste streams
This is ultimately an extra service that has to be paid for by residents for local waste management.
Each extra municipal waste stream also has it’s own footprint to consider
Potential Contamination Issues
Compost mixes can be contaminated if the wrong waste is put in the pile.
This can spoil the whole compost mix.
Potential Hygiene, & Health & Safety Issues
There might be a level of risk with ‘at-home’ composting if basic health and safety practices aren’t followed.
For example, some types of spoiled meats, pet waste and feces, and fatty foods, may carry bacteria like E coli and other parasites.
Amateur composters should know the risks/potential hazards of composting, and stick to safe composting practices, as well as know the regulations around composting in their area.
It Takes Knowledge & The Right Practices To Develop A Beneficial Compost Mix For Soils
To develop humus or a beneficial compost mix, it takes knowledge, and specific practices must be followed.
For example:
– The right materials have to be added to the mix (green vs brown, wet vs dry, finding the right balance of nitrogen rich and carbon rich materials, and so on)
– The correct temperature has to be maintained
– The correct moisture level has to be maintained
– The mix has to be turned or aerated periodically if aerobic conditions are to be kept
If a compost mix comes out too acidic for example, it can actually have a detrimental effect on soil.
So, composting has to be done in the right way to get a specific compost mix or humus for soil.
co2meter.com indicates that ‘… temperature, moisture content and aeration must be carefully monitored during decomposition to eliminate pathogens and completely convert the organic waste into compost’
agric.wa.gov.au also lists the different things that commercial composting facilities have to monitor when managing their compost mixes
Some Composting Techniques & Methods Require More Time, Labor & Maintenance Than Others
For example, active forms of composting that require periodic turning might require that the compost mix be turned every few weeks.
Passive composting and anaerobic composting may not need turning in some instances.
There’s time, labor and maintenance inputs to consider with all forms of composting.
Setting Up A Large Scale Composting Site Can Have Several Challenges
Large scale and/or commercial composting sites require siting (which requires a suitable location, suitable land in that location, and enough square area of land), designing, gaining of approval, and a lícence in some countries.
Not all proposed composting operations go ahead because of these requirements, and, the process through to approval and licensing can take time.
agric.wa.gov.au also mentions that some commercial composting facilities use advanced technology and systems to manage their compost mixes. It’s assumed there’s a cost to this technology and these systems
Smell Can Be An Issue
Compost that isn’t managed adequately can smell and emit bad odors
This smell may come from excess nitrogen in the form of ammonia
Can Attract Pests
Compost can attracts flies, insects and other pests
Some Open Compost Heaps Can Look Ugly
The aesthetics of some open home compost heaps can be unattractive.
This may be addressed though if they are concealed either in a compost bin, or with some form of fencing or another visual barrier.
Can Take Up Extra Space In Homes
In two ways:
– Compost piles can take up space
– Organic waste bins take up additional space alongside general waste bins, and also recycling waste bins
Recycling vs Landfill vs Incineration vs Composting: Comparison
We’ve put together a short comparison guide here of the different major waste management options.
Best Way To Manage Waste In Society
We also put together a separate guide on what the best way to manage waste in society might be
Sources
1. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/pros-cons-composting-41835.html
2. https://www.opb.org/news/blog/ecotrope/the-pros-and-cons-of-curbside-composting-in-portland/
3. http://visionlaunch.com/pros-and-cons-of-composting/
4. https://blog.gardeningknowhow.com/gardening-pros-cons/the-pros-and-cons-of-composting/
5. https://www.directcompostsolutions.com/8-methods-composting/
6. https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/climate-change/composting-avoid-methane-production
7. https://www.co2meter.com/blogs/news/8056965-co2-in-aerobic-anaerobic-composting
8. https://www.gardeningchores.com/humus-vs-compost/
9. https://www.hotbincomposting.com/blog/what-is-humus.html
10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus
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