Organic waste represents a challenge, since it constitutes around 30-50%
of the municipal solid waste (MSW). Thus, the proper management of organic
wastes will drastically reduce the volume of pollution arising from improper waste
management (Treadwell et al., 2018). In 2018, Americans only composted 8.5% of the
municipal solid waste generated, which means that the majority of the compostable
waste was landfilled or incinerated. These processes are generally detrimental to
environmental health because they pollute the air and water sources (Ayilara et al.,
2020). Alternatives, such as aerobic composting and anaerobic digestion, tend to be safe methods to manage organic waste, which generate valuable products. The main
problem is that composting and anaerobic digestion compete in the market with
landfilling, chemical fertilizers, and direct application on the soil.
Economic Incentives for Organics Diversion and Markets for Finished Compost Products in the United States
