FOOD WASTE COMPOSTING MACHINES: A MINI REVIEW ON A PRACTICAL SOLUTION FOR ORGANIC WASTE REDUCTION AT SOURCE

Abstract

Food waste composting machines (FWCMs) are increasingly recognized as a practical solution for organic waste reduction at source, contributing to sustainable development and circular economy objectives. A literature search was conducted using Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, with keywords including “food waste,” “composting,” “machine,” “device,” “system,” and “sustainability.” Peer-reviewed English-language studies explicitly addressing FWCMs were included, while non-English publications, irrelevant studies, and grey literature were excluded. FWCMs support landfill diversion, greenhouse gas mitigation, and nutrient recycling. Key technological advancements, such as microbial inoculants, aeration systems, temperature regulation, and automation, have improved decomposition rates and operational efficiency. Applications range from household devices to large-scale institutional and urban systems, highlighting their adaptability. Nevertheless, challenges remain, including high energy consumption, inconsistent compost quality, pathogen survival, bioaerosol emissions, and economic constraints. Uncertainty persists regarding their long-term environmental performance, scalability, and socio-economic integration. FWCMs offer significant potential for advancing sustainable food waste management. However, critical knowledge gaps—particularly in safety standards, compost quality benchmarking, life-cycle assessment, and cost-effectiveness—must be addressed through targeted research, technological innovation, and supportive policy frameworks.