MUNICIPAL ORGANIC WASTE COMPOSTING IN ROMANIA? RESOURCES AVAILABILITY AND RECENT ADVANCES

Abstract

Composting municipal organic waste is important for several reasons, including greenhouse gas emissions reduction, soil health improvement, nutrients recycle, waste reduction, costs reduction (by reducing the waste volumes, the handling costs are decreased). Information on the practices of municipal organic waste composting in Romania is limited, thus a comprehensive evaluation of the limiting factors and current solution was carried out. According to the European Environment Agency, Romania has made progress in organic recycling, including composting, as part of its municipal waste management. The evolution of municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling in Romania was limited to 7% in 2010. Afterwards, Romania has made progress in organic recycling, including composting, as part of its municipal waste management. The amounts composted and digested include output from treatment of mixed municipal waste in mechanical-biological treatment plants. Home composting could be a solution to reduce biowaste losses in rural areas. Municipal selective collection of organic waste is an effective way to increase the percentage of organics composting and improve the quality of organic waste. By collecting organic waste separately, it can be processed more efficiently and effectively, leading to higher quality compost. This can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air and water quality. Composting organic waste creates a product that can be used to improve soil health, grow crops, and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.