The results showed that farmers are willing to pay for compost but the willingness to pay is too low to absorb larger amounts. Even in scenarios where compost is free, transport costs are still limiting its distribution to urban and peri-urban areas. Among authorities composting is a well-perceived mechanism to reduce the waste volume and related transport costs. Financing and cost recovery (compost use and sales) receive however less attention.

Existing compost stations are not viable as savings on expenditures are not available (in cash) to maintain the stations. Better institutional planning with appropriate finance mechanisms could prevent operational failure but would still require significant investments if a larger impact on the urban waste volume is targeted. However, also without operational subsidies there are still options for win-win situations, especially under consideration of additional compost demand from the real estate sector. General as well as city-specific recommendations were given for scenarios with and without subsidies.