# Selective Collection and Management of Biowaste from the Municipal Sector in Poland: A Review
## 2 Biowaste in Poland--Production and Properties
Biodegradable waste includes waste that undergoes aerobic or anaerobic decomposition with the participation of microorganisms [3]. According to the cited legal act, biowaste, on the other hand, is biodegradable waste from gardens and parks, food and kitchen waste from households, catering, mass catering establishments, and retail units, as well as comparable waste from establishments that produce or market food. The wastes classified in this group are listed in quite some detail so that there are generally no problems in classifying them. Biowaste from the municipal sector can be divided into kitchen waste (peelings, grounds, eggshells) and green spaces (plant residues, grass, leaves, branches). Despite this division, quite a few characteristics of most biowastes are common. Because of its characteristics, special attention should be given to them. The first is susceptibility to decomposition [38], both in controlled and uncontrolled conditions. Discussing this characteristic, it is essential to mention the possibility of using biowaste in aerobic and anaerobic processes. It would make it possible to obtain compost, a suitably valuable fertilizer rich in organic matter [39], as well as biogas and digestate as fertilizer [40,41]. The following characteristic of biowaste is its relatively high water content. The broad range can vary from a few percent for dry biomass to even more than 90% for selected fruits and vegetables [42]. Water, along with the dry matter of substrates, often provides a suitable environment for the growth of microorganisms. The reason for this can be increased susceptibility to decomposition. Therefore, many activities related to biowaste should be undertaken quickly if they differ from other biodegradable waste, such as sawdust. An exception in the group of biowaste may be branches or shells, and a lower water content characterizes these waste. Another characteristic of biowaste is its wide variety. As mentioned earlier, this group includes many types of degradable waste of all kinds [37]. Their diversity, quantity, and quality are subject to many fluctuations, those related to the place of production and the year's season. For example, the cleanliness of selectively collected biowaste in places of collective feedings, such as a canteen, would be different, unlike in multi-residential developments, where blocks of flats predominate. In the first site, a much more homogeneous and clean raw material can be expected. On the other hand, more grass is expected in warmer periods, while leaves play a significant role in autumn. Biowaste is generated every day by all people worldwide. Therefore, its management should consider legal, social, technical, and economic aspects. Regardless of the management technology choice, the cost for each citizen should be as low as possible so as not to generate negative public opinion on the subject of waste management, which unfortunately often happens [43]. In addition, there are times when local government units have to subsidize the waste management system despite the relatively high premiums for waste collection and management. It should be mentioned that the quality of waste significantly affects the cost of waste management [44]. Thus, the key to achieving the desired results is to take care of the raw material's quality and choose the proper method of processing it [45].