Alternative method of composting on a reclaimed municipal waste landfill in accordance with the circular economy: Benefits and risks

Waste composting is becoming a key element of integrated waste management. Composting has a number of advantages, including economic benefits, improvement of soil properties through the use of compost, reduction in the use of chemical fertilisers, and minimization of environmental pollution. Composting on a landfill surface appears to be an economical solution that can help close the waste loop and material cycle. In this study, a composting plant located on a landfill surface was analysed. The main objective of the research was to identify the species of plants growing in the organic fraction of municipal solid waste in temporary storage, in the composting plant, and in maturing compost located in a reclaimed plot at the landfill site. During monitoring, 88 plant species were identified altogether. It was observed that compost can become a source of weed infestation. To control the presence of weeds in the compost, basic principles of composting are to be followed to reduce the quantity of weed seeds. The thermophilic phase must occur to reduce the viability of seeds in the input materials and sufficient moisture must be ensured during the composting process. When these principles are strictly observed and the stored compost is maintained without vegetation, the supply of seeds in the compost will be low, and the undesirable spread of plant species to adjacent areas will be controlled. The results showed that the use of the obtained compost did not result in the propagation of weed species. This study demonstrates that composting on a reclaimed landfill offers various advantages such as a closed waste management cycle, coverage of the active landfill body, and fertilisation of the reclaimed part of the landfill. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.