Review Article
Composting of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
— A State-of-the-Art Review
Chandani Lakhani
,
Sandeep Bodkhe*
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 1, June 2026
Pages:
1-16
Received:
1 June 2026
Accepted:
8 July 2026
Published:
6 August 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.be.20261001.11
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: The rapid pace of urbanization and increase in population have resulted in an unprecedented increase in the generation of municipal solid waste (MSW), highlighting the urgent need for sustainable and effective waste management approaches. Composting stands out as an environmentally friendly approach for the valorization of organic waste among the diverse techniques available. This paper provides a critical analysis of the essential phases involved in MSW composting, starting with preprocessing methods and highlighting the significance of source separation in improving the quality of compost. This paper presents a comparative analysis of major composting methods, specifically windrow, aerated static pile, and in-vessel systems, focusing on their efficiency and operational control. Furthermore, the significant process variables, including temperature, pH, C/N ratio, particle size, moisture content, aeration rate, and the shape of windrows, were discussed. This review encompasses a range of maturity and stability indices utilized to determine compost quality and its readiness for its application. The integration of process control is highlighted as a crucial factor for optimizing composting outcomes. This paper also synthesizes recent advances and challenges in MSW composting, providing a thorough understanding that offers insights for enhancing current practices and directing future research efforts. Important results from research on various kinds of composting processes, particularly aerobic composting, since it is a feasible technique for the composting of MSW; monitoring parameters; the Indian context; and compost utilization are described in this paper.
Abstract: The rapid pace of urbanization and increase in population have resulted in an unprecedented increase in the generation of municipal solid waste (MSW), highlighting the urgent need for sustainable and effective waste management approaches. Composting stands out as an environmentally friendly approach for the valorization of organic waste among the d...
Show More
