Skip to main content
Log in

Obsolete Laws: Economic and Moral Aspects, Case Study—Composting Standards

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Science and Engineering Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

From the early days of philosophy, ethics and justice, there is wide consensus that the constancy of the laws establishes the legal system. On the other hand, the rate at which we accumulate knowledge is gaining speed like never before. Due to the recently increased attention of academics to climate change and other environmental issues, a lot of new knowledge has been obtained about carbon management, its role in nature and mechanisms regarding the formation and degradation of organic matter. A multidisciplinary techno-economic assessment of current composting standards and laws that took into account the current state of knowledge about carbon management was carried out as a case study. Economic and environmental damage caused by outdated laws was revealed. In addition, it was found that the introduction of the best composts into the market is permitted, causing additional negative environmental as well as economic impacts.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Beesley, L., Moreno-Jiménez, E., & Gomez-Eyles, J. L. (2010). Effects of biochar and greenwaste compost amendments on mobility, bioavailability and toxicity of inorganic and organic contaminants in a multi–element polluted soil. Environmental Pollution, 158, 2282–2287.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernal, M. P., Alburquerque, J. A., & Moral, R. (2009). Composting of animal manures and chemical criteria for compost maturity assessment. A review. Bioresource technology, 100, 5444–5453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brinton, W. F. (2001). An international look at compost standards. Biocycle, 42, 74–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Busch, D., Kammann, C., Grünhage, L., & Müller, C. (2012). Simple biotoxicity tests for evaluation of carbonaceous soil additives: Establishment and reproducibility of four test procedures. Journal of Environment Quality, 41(4), 1023.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gallardo-Lara, F., & Nogales, R. (1987). Effect of the application of town refuse compost on the soil–plant system: A review. Biological Wastes, 19, 35–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, E. Z., & Richard, T. L. (1992). Municipal solid waste composting: Policy and regulation. Biomass and Bioenergy, 3, 127–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, T., Schuchardt, F., Li, G., Guo, R., & Zhao, Y. (2011). Effect of C/N ratio, aeration rate and moisture content on ammonia and greenhouse gas emission during the composting. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 23, 1754–1760.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiménez, E. I., & Garcia, V. P. (1989). Evaluation of city refuse compost maturity: A review. Biological Wastes, 27, 115–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolář, L., Borová–Batt, J., Peterka, J., & Kužel, S. (2011). Utilisation of waste from digesters for biogas production. INTECH Open Access Publisher.

  • Kumar, M., Ou, Y. L., & Lin, J. G. (2010). Co-composting of green waste and food waste at low C/N ratio. Waste Management, 30, 602–609.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, J., Schulz, H., Brandl, S., Miehtke, H., Huwe, B., & Glaser, B. (2012). Short-term effect of biochar and compost on soil fertility and water status of a Dystric Cambisol in NE Germany under field conditions. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 175, 698–707.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maroušek, J. (2012). Finding the optimal parameters for the steam explosion process of hay. Revista Técnica de la Facultad de Ingeniería. Universidad del Zulia, 35, 170–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maroušek, J. (2013). Two—fraction anaerobic fermentation of grass waste. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 93, 2410–2414.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maroušek, J. (2014a). Economically oriented process optimization in waste management. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 21, 7400–7402.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maroušek, J. (2014b). Significant breakthrough in biochar cost reduction. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 16, 1821–1825.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maroušek, J. (2015). Economic analysis of the pressure shockwave disintegration process. International Journal of Green Energy, 12, 1232–1235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maroušek, J., Kondo, Y., Ueno, M., & Kawamitsu, Y. (2013). Commercial—scale utilization of greenhouse residues. Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry, 60, 253–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maroušek, J., Zeman, R., Vaníčková, R., & Hašková, S. (2014a). New concept of urban green management. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 16, 1835–1838.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maroušek, J., Hašková, S., Zeman, R., Váchal, J., & Vaníčková, R. (2014b). Nutrient management in processing of steam—exploded lignocellulose phytomass. Chemical Engineering and Technology, 37, 1945–1948.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maroušek, J., Hašková, S., Zeman, R., Žák, J., Vaníčková, R., Maroušková, A., et al. (2015). Techno–economic assessment of processing the cellulose casings waste. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 17, 2441–2446.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maroušek, J., Hašková, S., Zeman, R., Žák, J., Vaníčková, R., Maroušková, A., et al. (2016). Polemics on ethical aspects in the compost business. Science and Engineering Ethics, 22, 581–590.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martínez-Blanco, J., Lazcano, C., Christensen, T. H., Muñoz, P., Rieradevall, J., Møller, J., et al. (2013). Compost benefits for agriculture evaluated by life cycle assessment. A review. Agronomy for sustainable development, 33, 721–732.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mathur, S. P., Owen, G., Dinel, H., & Schnitzer, M. (1993). Determination of compost biomaturity. I. Literature review. Biological Agriculture & Horticulture, 10, 65–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michel, F. C., Jr., Forney, L. J., Huang, A. J. F., Drew, S., Czuprenski, M., Lindeberg, J. D., et al. (1996). Effects of turning frequency, leaves to grass mix ratio and windrow versus pile configuration on the composting of yard trimmings. Compost Science & Utilization, 4, 26–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nolan, T., Troy, S. M., Healy, M. G., Kwapinski, W., Leahy, J. J., & Lawlor, P. G. (2011). Characterization of compost produced from separated pig manure and a variety of bulking agents at low initial C/N ratios. Bioresource Technology, 102, 7131–7138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, H. P., Kammann, C., Niggli, C., Evangelou, M. W., Mackie, K. A., & Abiven, S. (2014). Biochar and biochar–compost as soil amendments to a vineyard soil: Influences on plant growth, nutrient uptake, plant health and grape quality. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 191, 117–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schulz, H., & Glaser, B. (2012). Effects of biochar compared to organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil quality and plant growth in a greenhouse experiment. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 175, 410–422.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shiralipour, A., McConnell, D. B., & Smith, W. H. (1992). Uses and benefits of MSW compost: A review and an assessment. Biomass and Bioenergy, 3, 267–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smetanová, A., Dotterweich, M., Diehl, D., Ulrich, U., & Dotterweich, N. F. (2013). Influence of biochar and terra preta substrates on wettability and erodibility of soils. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, Supplementary Issues, 57, 111–134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steiner, C., Das, K. C., Melear, N., & Lakly, D. (2010). Reducing nitrogen loss during poultry litter composting using biochar. Journal of Environmental Quality, 39, 1236–1242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuomela, M., Vikman, M., Hatakka, A., & Itävaara, M. (2000). Biodegradation of lignin in a compost environment: A review. Bioresource Technology, 72, 169–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vochozka, M., Maroušková, A., Váchal, J., & Straková, J. (2016). Reengineering the paper mill waste management. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 18, 323–329.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marek Vochozka.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Vochozka, M., Maroušková, A. & Šuleř, P. Obsolete Laws: Economic and Moral Aspects, Case Study—Composting Standards. Sci Eng Ethics 23, 1667–1672 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-016-9831-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-016-9831-9

Keywords

Navigation