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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to The Cost of Plastics in Compost
ClearPlastic impurities in biowaste treatment: environmental and economic life cycle assessment of a composting plant
Researchers assessed an Italian composting facility and found that conventional plastic contaminants in food waste account for nearly half the residual waste produced and roughly 7% of annual operating costs, highlighting how plastic pollution undermines the economics and environmental benefits of composting.
Macro- and microplastics in composts from municipal solid waste industrial composting Plants in Uganda
Researchers quantified macro- and microplastic contamination in composts from two industrial municipal solid waste composting plants in Uganda, finding substantial plastic contamination resulting from minimal source separation in waste collection, which could transfer plastics to agricultural soils.
Composting treatment increases the risk of microplastics pollution in process and compost products
Researchers found that the composting process actually increases microplastic contamination rather than reducing it, breaking larger plastic pieces into smaller, more numerous particles. Even when visible plastics were sorted out before composting, the final compost still contained thousands of microplastic particles per kilogram. Since compost is widely applied to farm fields, this study reveals an overlooked pathway for microplastics to enter agricultural soil and potentially the food supply.
Microplastics in Composts as a Barrier to the Development of Circular Economy
This Polish paper discusses how microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in compost materials represents a significant barrier to implementing circular economy principles in organic waste management. When compost containing microplastics is applied to agricultural fields, it introduces plastic particles into soils and potentially into food crops.
Microplastics identification and quantification in the composted Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste
Researchers quantified microplastics in composted organic municipal solid waste from five facilities, finding contamination levels that raise concerns about compost quality and the potential transfer of microplastics to agricultural soils through organic waste recycling.
Plastics and other extraneous matter in municipal solid waste compost: A systematic review of sources, occurrence, implications, and fate in amended soils
Researchers reviewed contamination in municipal compost made from household organic waste, finding plastics are the most prevalent pollutant — with some batches containing enough plastic to deposit over 500 kg per hectare of farmland each year. Repeated use of contaminated compost builds up microplastics in soil, threatening soil health and potentially moving plastic particles into crops and food.
Identification and Quantification of Microplastics in Compost: A case of landfills in Uganda
Researchers surveyed compost sites across 8 cities and 5 municipalities in Uganda, finding microplastics at all locations with fibers being the most abundant type (54.98%), indicating that poor waste management practices are driving plastic contamination into compost used in agriculture.
Determination and quantification of microplastics in compost
Researchers analyzed commercially available compost products to determine how much microplastic contamination they contain. They found microplastics in all tested composts, with fibers and fragments being the most common forms, primarily made of polyethylene and polypropylene. The findings raise concerns that applying commercial compost to agricultural land may be an overlooked pathway for introducing microplastics into soil.
Plastic contamination of composts derived from feedstocks with and without food waste
Researchers investigated plastic contamination levels in composts derived from feedstocks with and without food waste, examining how organic waste amendments may act as vectors for introducing plastic fragments into terrestrial soils. A vermiculture composting approach was used to assess the fate of plastics through the composting process.
Breakdown of plastic waste into microplastics during an industrial Composting: A case study from a biowaste facility
A study of industrial composting facilities found that plastic waste items introduced into the compost feedstock broke down into microplastics during the composting process, with finished compost containing significant MP concentrations that could contaminate agricultural soils where the compost is applied.
Quantity and Material Composition of Foreign Bodies in Bio-Waste Collected in Towns from Single- and Multi-Family Housing and in Rural Areas
Researchers characterized the quantity and composition of foreign bodies, including plastics, in bio-waste collected from households across multiple German cities, finding significant contamination that complicates composting and recycling operations.
Microplastic Abundance in the Locally Produced Commercial Compost and the Characteristics
Researchers measured microplastic abundance in locally produced commercial compost, characterizing particle morphology, size, and polymer type. The compost contained measurable microplastic concentrations dominated by polyester fibres and polyethylene fragments, confirming that commercial composting does not eliminate microplastic contamination and may serve as a route for soil plastic input.
A systematic review of the occurrence of microplastics in compost: Understanding the abundance, sources, characteristics and ecological risk
Researchers reviewed 19 global studies and found microplastics in virtually all types of compost — including those made from animal manure, sewage sludge, and municipal waste — with concentrations reaching up to 288,000 particles per kilogram in some samples. Since compost is widely applied to farmland, these findings highlight a significant but overlooked pathway for microplastics to enter soils and the food chain.
From waste to resource: unveiling the nexus between compost, microplastics, and agroecosystem
This review examines how compost derived from municipal waste introduces microplastics into agricultural soils, with polypropylene, polyethylene, and PET being the most commonly found polymers. Researchers found that smaller microplastic particles pose greater risks to agroecosystem sustainability, and that even bioplastics can persist as a non-point source of contamination. The study suggests that adding biochar during composting and stricter monitoring of feedstock quality could help reduce microplastic contamination.
Comprehensive understanding of microplastics in compost: Ecological risks and degradation mechanisms
This review examines how microplastics enter soil through compost made from household waste, sewage sludge, and agricultural waste. Microplastics in compost can disrupt soil structure, reduce fertility, and persist in the environment long after application. Since compost is widely used in farming, this represents a significant pathway for microplastics to contaminate agricultural soil and potentially enter the food chain.
Quantification and analysis of surface macroplastic contamination on arable areas
Researchers quantified macroplastic contamination on German farmland, finding that fields fertilized with compost had 42 times more plastic particles per hectare than unfertilized fields, indicating that compost application and roadside littering are major pathways for plastic entering agricultural soils.
Plastic input and dynamics in industrial composting
Researchers quantified plastic input and dynamics at five stages of an industrial composting process, tracking macroplastics in municipal bio-waste collections from different municipalities (0.36-4.72 kg/ton, dominated by PE and PP) and measuring microplastic concentrations through shredding and screening to assess removal or enrichment.
Quantification and polymeric characterization of microplastics in composts and their accumulation in lettuce
Researchers measured microplastics in eight types of compost and then grew lettuce in the contaminated material. Municipal solid waste compost contained the most microplastics, over 16,000 particles per kilogram, and lettuce grown in it accumulated the highest levels, with measurable impacts on plant growth. The findings suggest that compost quality standards should account for plastic contamination to protect food safety.
Sources of Light Density Microplastic Related to Two Agricultural Practices: The Use of Compost and Plastic Mulch
Researchers measured microplastic contributions to agricultural fields from plastic mulch and compost applications and found that both practices introduced light-density MPs, with compost derived from municipal waste containing diverse polymer types reflecting household plastic consumption.
Microplastics in composts, digestates, and food wastes: A review
This review examines how food waste composting and recycling processes can introduce microplastics into agricultural soil. When food waste mixed with plastic packaging is composted or processed through anaerobic digestion, microplastic fragments can end up in the soil amendments spread on farmland. The findings highlight an overlooked pathway by which microplastics enter the food chain, as crops grown in contaminated compost may absorb or accumulate plastic particles.
Characterization and source apportionment of microplastics in Indian composts
This study characterized microplastics in municipal solid waste composts from Kochi and Kozhikode, India, finding elevated concentrations of microplastics along with associated heavy metal accumulation. The results highlight compost as a pathway for microplastic and metal co-contamination of agricultural soils.
Progressive exploration of the four municipal solid composting phases for microplastics pollution: Extraction, abundance, and distribution
Researchers tracked microplastic abundance and size distribution through all four stages of municipal solid waste composting at a Canadian facility. They found that zinc chloride density separation achieved approximately 99.9% extraction recovery, significantly outperforming calcium chloride. The study reveals that compost used to enrich agricultural soils can be a meaningful pathway for introducing microplastic contamination into farmland.
Makro- und Mikrokunststoffe in österreichischen Komposten
This German-language study analyzed macro- and microplastic contamination in Austrian composts from three modern composting facilities, finding between 13 and 111 plastic particles per kilogram of dry matter. The results highlight that even well-managed composting operations contribute to plastic pollution in agricultural soils when compost is applied.
Do microplastic residuals in municipal compost bioaccumulate in plant tissue?
Compost made from municipal organic waste was found to contain microplastic residuals, and this study tested whether those plastics are absorbed by plants grown in the compost. Some plastic residuals were detected in plant tissues, suggesting that microplastics in compost could enter the food chain through agricultural use.