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Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Co-Composting of Green Waste and Kitchen Waste at Different Ratios

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  • Junhao Gu

    (The Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Utilization of Green Waste in Hebei Province, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Suyan Li

    (The Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Utilization of Green Waste in Hebei Province, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Xiangyang Sun

    (The Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Utilization of Green Waste in Hebei Province, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Rongsong Zou

    (Comprehensive Experimental Center in Yellow River Delta of Chinese Academy of Forestry, Dongying 257000, China)

  • Binru Song

    (The Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Utilization of Green Waste in Hebei Province, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Di Wang

    (The Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Utilization of Green Waste in Hebei Province, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Hui Wang

    (The Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Utilization of Green Waste in Hebei Province, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Yalin Li

    (The Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Utilization of Green Waste in Hebei Province, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

Abstract

With the rapid expansion of urban green spaces and the increasing amount of domestic waste, efficient and sustainable treatment of green waste (GW) and kitchen waste (KW) has become a pressing issue. Co-composting offers a green and low-carbon solution, yet a systematic understanding of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission dynamics remains lacking. This study aims to investigate the impact of varying GW:KW ratios on GHG emissions during composting, in order to identify optimal mixing strategies and sup-port the development of low-carbon urban waste management systems. Six treatments with different GW:KW ratios (10:0, 9:1, 8:2, 7:3, 6:4, and 5:5) were evaluated under continuous aeration for 42 days. Results showed: (1) All treatments exhibited a typical composting temperature profile (mesophilic, thermophilic, cooling, maturation), with final seed germination index (GI) > 95% and significantly reduced E4/E6 ratios, indicating maturity. (2) When kitchen waste (KW) was ≤20%, cumulative GHG emissions slightly increased; KW ≥ 30% led to net reductions, with the 6:4 treatment (A4) achieving the highest decrease (17.44%) in total CO 2 -equivalent emissions. In conclusion, maintaining KW at 40–50% optimally balances compost maturity and emission reduction, providing a viable strategy for the high-value utilization of urban organic waste and carbon mitigation.

Suggested Citation

  • Junhao Gu & Suyan Li & Xiangyang Sun & Rongsong Zou & Binru Song & Di Wang & Hui Wang & Yalin Li, 2025. "Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Co-Composting of Green Waste and Kitchen Waste at Different Ratios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:17:p:8041-:d:1743856
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yue Wang & Shanjiang Liu & Wentao Xue & He Guo & Xinrong Li & Guoyuan Zou & Tongke Zhao & Hongmin Dong, 2019. "The Characteristics of Carbon, Nitrogen and Sulfur Transformation During Cattle Manure Composting—Based on Different Aeration Strategies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-18, October.
    2. Eva Šubová & Naďa Sasáková & František Zigo & Ingrid Mindžáková & Mária Vargová & Ján Kachnič & Katarína Veselitz Laktičová, 2021. "Amendment of Livestock Manure with Natural Zeolite-Clinoptilolite and Its Effect on Decomposition Processes during Composting," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-14, October.
    3. Sylwia Stegenta & Karolina Sobieraj & Grzegorz Pilarski & Jacek A. Koziel & Andrzej Białowiec, 2019. "Analysis of the Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Process Gases within Municipal Biowaste Compost," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-23, April.
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