Solid waste management by composting: State of the art

One of the most versatile and remunerative techniques for handling biodegradable solid wastes is composting. A large variety of such wastes of plant, animal, and synthetic origins can be gainfully composted, at scales varying from a household bin to a large industry. Compost also has an inexhaustible market as a soil conditioner and fertilizer. Apart from being a source of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients for plants, compost is also believed to suppress soil-borne diseases in plants. These virtues make composting an ideal option for processing the enormous quantities of biodegradable solid wastes that are generated in the world. In this article, a review of the state of the art of compost science is presented, encompassing the history, the mechanism, the production, the characteristics, and the effects of composting. It is hoped that this effort would stimulate further interest in composting and in the appreciation of its benefits.