The utilization of Solid Waste Compost (SWC) as an organic fertilizer (OF) in agriculture has garnered significant attention in recent years due to growing concerns about worsening waste management issues. This empirical study investigates paddy farmers’ perceptions of SWC under Sri Lanka’s organic farming policy and uniquely addresses its underexploited potential as an organic fertilizer. Data were collected from 254 respondents in the Attanagalla Divisional Secretariat Division via a structured questionnaire. Nine key performance indicators were established to evaluate SWC against other organic fertilizers considered for the study. Findings revealed that meeting the ‘required quantity’ OF was the most challenging aspect (91%) for organic paddy cultivation, while only 14.2% of paddy farmers were able to utilize SWC for paddy fields due to limited availability. Farmers appreciated SWC as the most effective in balancing pest–predator interactions, even surpassing straw; however, its availability lagged compared to alternatives such as straw. Farmers expressed a higher likelihood of adopting SWC if it met government certification standards. The findings conclude that, while increasing production of SWC could enhance its role as an organic fertilizer in paddy farming, achieving its quality standards for paddy farming through government standard certification is crucial for successful implementation.

The limited existing studies elucidate the significant contribution of open dumpsites to greenhouse gas emissions in Sri Lanka and underscore the necessity of improved waste management practices. Considering this, this study formulates and implements a scenario-based transition framework to assess the potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by diverting biodegradable waste in a semi-urban governance setting in Sri Lanka, which is marked by data limitations and operational challenges. This study concludes that the environmental feasibility analysis reinforces the potential benefits of solid waste compost adoption in municipal solid waste management and agriculture. Greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O) were analyzed using the IPCC Tier 1 methodology. The findings revealed that the total emissions declined significantly from 163.10 tonne CO₂ eq/month to 99.31 tonne CO₂ eq/month. The results indicate that diverting biodegradable waste to composting can play a crucial role in climate mitigation in semi-urban contexts, while promoting organic farming. These findings represent the first scenario-based GHG quantification in a semi-urban context in Sri Lanka, addressing a governance level that has received negligible attention in the composting and waste management literature. The scenario-based evaluation framework offers indicative guidance for municipalities in similarly constrained developing contexts, although direct applicability is contingent on comparable waste compositions, governance structures, and operational conditions.

This study evaluates the financial viability of municipal solid waste (MSW) composting in Attanagalla Pradesheeya Sabha (APS), Sri Lanka, using a scenario-based financial assessment. Three scenarios were compared: the existing waste-management system (S0), optimized utilization of existing composting capacity (S1), and expanded composting with additional infrastructure investment (S2). Capital and operating expenditures, compost sales, waste-collection fees, and government contributions were incorporated. Financial performance was assessed using the Benefit–Cost Ratio (BCR), Net Present Value (NPV), and incremental cost analysis, with NPV evaluated over 15 years at a 9% discount rate. Financial performance improved progressively from S0 to S2. Under baseline assumptions, S2 achieved annual financial break-even, generating the strongest annual financial performance among the scenarios, while its 15-year NPV remained negative at approximately LKR −26.2 million, indicating that the initial infrastructure investment was not fully recovered within the assessment period. Sensitivity analysis showed that S2 remains financially viable only under relatively favorable operating and market conditions, particularly with effective OPEX control and high compost sales realization. The findings indicate that expanded composting can improve municipal cost recovery and support agricultural resource recovery, but infrastructure expansion should be accompanied by market development, product-quality assurance, and careful financial management for long-term financial sustainability.