Patent Landscape of Composting Technology: A Review

Abstract

Organic waste management is a major global challenge. It accounts for a significant portion of waste that ends up in landfills, where it gradually decomposes and emits methane, a harmful greenhouse gas. Composting is an effective method for potentially solving the problem by converting organic waste into valuable compost. Despite many studies focusing on the composting process, no study has reviewed the technological advancements in the composting fields from the perspective of patents. This review paper begins with background information on the composting process, specifically important factors affecting the process, problems associated with it, and the available technologies to facilitate the process. Different technologies are discussed, ranging from manual to automated methods. Subsequently, 457 patents are selected, classified into different categories, and reviewed in detail, providing a patent technology landscape of composting technology. Automatic composters are more prominent than manual ones as managing organic waste at the source has become more crucial in recent years. The need for a domestic composter creates an opportunity for the development of a compact and automated system for organic waste management, which is more suitable for urbanized settings. This technology has the potential to reduce the amount of organic waste that needs to be managed at an already overburdened landfill, as well as the environmental consequences associated with it.