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ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Synergizing Environmental and Economic Profits
in Aerobic Composting: An Integrated Life
Cycle Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis
1
Department of Business Administration, Namseoul University, 91, Daehak-ro, Seonghwan-eup,
Seobuk-gu, Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do 31020, Republic of Korea
2
Business School, Linyi University, Shuangling Road, Lanshan District, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P. R. China
Submission date: 2025-08-17
Final revision date: 2025-09-09
Acceptance date: 2025-09-21
Online publication date: 2025-10-29
Publication date: 2026-01-02
Corresponding author
Chuanyu Liu
Business School, Linyi University, Shuangling Road, Lanshan District, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P. R. China
Business School, Linyi University, Shuangling Road, Lanshan District, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P. R. China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. PEaI. 2025;1(1):87-100
KEYWORDS
aerobic compostinglife cycle assessmentlife cycle costingecological efficiencycircular economymembrane-covered composting
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
The growing intensity of animal farming necessitates composting technologies that are
both environmentally and economically sustainable. This study evaluates four mainstream
aerobic composting methods: static heaps (SH), windrow composting (WC), membrane-covered
composting (MC), and reactor composting (RC), using an integrated life cycle assessment (LCA)
and cost-benefit analysis. Results show that MC significantly outperformed the others in eco-efficiency
(EE). It enhanced environmental performance by 41.8%, 25.4%, and 13.2% compared to SH, WC,
and RC, respectively (p<0.01 for SH; p<0.05 for WC and RC). These gains were driven by substantial
reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (44.9%, 32.7%, and 17.8%) and eutrophication potential
(38.6%, 29.1%, and 15.3%) relative to SH, WC, and RC. Economically, MC’s operational cost (USD
28.84 t-1) was 33.6% lower than that of RC, underscoring its cost-effectiveness for emission-intensive
systems. Consequently, MC’s overall EE improved by 168.4%, 92.7%, and 39.6% over SH, WC,
and RC, respectively. We conclude that membrane-covered composting presents a balanced
and compelling strategy for advancing sustainable waste management in intensive livestock operations.
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| ISSN: | 3072-1962 |
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