Implementing Decentralized Composting in Urban Areas in Romania - between European Models and Local Initiatives

Managing bio-waste in urban areas poses significant challenges for local governments, particularly in countries with underdeveloped waste management systems. However, decentralized composting has emerged as a viable solution in various cities and regions worldwide. This paper examines the potential for implementing decentralized bio-waste management systems in urban areas in Romania, a European Union member state with notably low performance in municipal waste management. We analysed three decentralized composting systems from EU countries, focusing on system design, circularity, and household participation. From these case studies, we identified several transferable best practices, including analysing local waste generation patterns, designing circular models, using modular units for rapid implementation, training composting specialists, tailoring behavioural change tools to local contexts, and ensuring continuous performance monitoring. In addition, we explored local bottom-up initiatives for decentralized composting in urban areas in Romania such as green NGOs, informal composting networks, networks of local food producers and consumers, urban gardening practices rooted in the Communist era, and entrepreneurial initiatives offering household bio-waste collection services. We argue that policymakers should adapt these best practices to local conditions and actively engage with bottom-up initiatives to co-create tailored solutions and support behavioural change. The study concludes with policy recommendations for implementing decentralized composting systems. These findings offer a practical framework to guide the development of context-specific composting solutions in Romania and other Central and Eastern European countries with similar urban characteristics and public attitudes towards waste management.