A települési kerti zöldhulladék gyűjtési és hasznosítási helyzete és lehetőségei Magyarországon különös tekintettel a komposztálásra

One of the key objectives of the European Union in order to accelerate the transition to a circular economy is the sustainable management and utilization of biodegradable municipal waste. One of the most significant items in this waste category is garden green waste, the primary utilization of which is composting. In order to learn about the garden green waste collection and composting practice in Hungary, we conducted exploratory research involving market players, municipalities and the public. In Hungary, the purpose of establishing composting plants is mainly to utilize the garden green waste and sewage sludge generated in a given settlement or region. In settlements where a garden green waste collection system has not been established, it can be traced back to the fact that the population there typically utilizes the garden green waste themselves, and/or the high cost of operating the system for the municipality prevents its establishment. The quality of compost as a product is determined not only by the technology used, but also by the quality of the raw materials used and the method of collection, therefore, greater emphasis should be placed on developing the awareness of the population about collection. Despite the fact that the use of compost increases the organic matter content of soils and improves the physical properties of soils, its agricultural use is less widespread. Although there is a demand from farmers for high-organic content, non-fertilizer-type nutrient replenishment based on the principles of sustainability, it cannot replace the use of fertilizer. The utilization of garden green waste and its recycling as compost into the organic matter cycle is a demand that has emerged primarily from the waste management and environmental protection side, therefore, in the current market conditions, without subsidies and other incentives, the operation of systems for such purposes is not profitable for municipalities and composting plants.