Community-scale composting for food waste: A life-cycle assessment-supported case study

Zi Xiang Keng, Siewhui Chong, Chee Guan Ng, Nur Izzati Ridzuan, Svenja Hanson, Guan Ting Pan, Phei Li Lau, Christina Vimala Supramaniam, Ajit Singh, Chiew Foan Chin, Hon Loong Lam

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

121 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Community-scale composting, which can be conducted by the local council or a waste management company, is an effective starting point to divert food waste from landfill, especially for developing countries. This paper successfully demonstrates the feasibility of a community-scale food waste composting system, using the University of Nottingham Malaysia as the case study. The method selected is open-air static pile, using food waste as the substrate and leaf-litter as the bulking agent. The composting model presented in this study is also applicable to other organic wastes. The two feedstocks are mixed at a food waste-to-leaves weight ratio of 4: 1 to result in an initial moisture level of 63% and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 27. The composting process can be completed in 7 months, yielding about 30 wt % (on dry basis) of compost from the total organic feedstock. The finished compost is shown to meet Malaysia's organic fertiliser standard, thus demonstrating the feasibility of this low-cost technology. Economic analysis showed that substituting chemical fertilisers with the organic compost produced in-house is a viable option, and that for Malaysia, the composting system would be able to self-sustain financially only when the landfilling cost is increased 2.3 times. The life-cycle assessment showed that using composting to replace landfill for food waste, as well as substituting chemical fertilisers with the organic compost produced, can greatly reduce the environmental impacts, especially on global warming, ecotoxicity, eutrophication and fossil fuel depletion. In order to promote the widespread application of composting for organic wastes, multi-actor partnerships are essential to link governments, organisations and households in working toward a circular economy.

Original languageEnglish
Article number121220
JournalJournal of Cleaner Production
Volume261
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Jul 2020

Keywords

  • Circular economy
  • Composting
  • Feasibility
  • Food waste
  • Life cycle
  • Organic waste

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • General Environmental Science
  • Strategy and Management
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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