Abstract Decentralized community composting presents a viable Techno-economic alternative to centralized industrial systems for managing 100% of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) in rural municipalities. This study, conducted in Catalonia, Spain, evaluated a system capable of processing 90 t/y of organic matter under six scenarios, varying by mixing method (manual or mechanized) and the number of compost transfers. Mechanized mixing without transfers emerged as the most efficient approach, reducing processing time by 40% and labor demand by 50%, with annual operating costs of 15,141 €/year—14,325 €/year lower than manual methods. Payback was achieved in 10 years, supported by a canon return of 165–194 €/composter (5–7% discount rates). The resulting compost met Class A standards under Royal Decree 506/2013, ensuring high quality. This model aligns with European regulations, addressing 41% of Europe’s organic waste, while promoting a circular economy through localized waste valorization. Mechanization optimizes resource use, reduces costs, and enhances sustainability, offering a scalable solution for small-to-medium municipalities. Graphical abstract
Oviedo et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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