DIRECT METHOD FOR ESTIMATING BIO-WASTE IN HOME COMPOSTERS: A CASE STUDY OF A SELECTED MUNICIPALITY

This study examines the estimation of bio-waste mass recycled „at source” in home composters, a critical factor in enabling municipalities to achieve the required recovery and recycling rates for municipal waste, in compliance with European Union regulations. The primary objective was to assess the volume of bio-waste composted in a rural municipality “X,” located in the Kraków district of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. The research, conducted in 2024, employed a direct survey method utilizing a structured questionnaire, developed as part of a methodological framework by a research team at the University of Agriculture in Kraków. The pilot study surveyed 28 households that reported owning a composter in 2023. The sample was categorized into six groups based on the number of residents and plot area to ensure a structured analysis. The findings highlight the significant role of bio-waste in improving municipal recycling rates. Incorporating the estimated bio-waste mass into the overall municipal waste recovery and recycling calculations resulted in an increase in the actual recycling rate from 43% to nearly 55%. This adjustment enabled the municipality to meet the mandatory recovery and recycling thresholds for 2023 and secure compliance in subsequent years. The study concludes that expanding household composting practices can substantially contribute to achieving environmental policy objectives while mitigating financial penalties for municipalities. These findings provide a basis for further research and policy initiatives aimed at strengthening composting infrastructure and promoting environmental education among residents.