Polemics on Ethical Aspects in the Compost Business

Sci Eng Ethics. 2016 Apr;22(2):581-90. doi: 10.1007/s11948-015-9664-y. Epub 2015 May 31. . Maroušek J1, Hašková S2, Zeman R2, Žák J2, Vaníčková R2, Maroušková A2, Váchal J2, Myšková K3. Author information 1 The Institute of Technology and Businesses in České Budějovice, Okružní 517/10, 370 01, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. josef.marousek@gmail.com. 2 The Institute of Technology and Businesses in České Budějovice, Okružní 517/10, 370 01, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. 3 Department of Statistics and Operation Analysis, Faculty of Business and Economics, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic. Abstract This paper focuses on compost use in overpasses and underpasses for wild animals over roads and other similar linear structures. In this context, good quality of compost may result in faster and more resistant vegetation cover during the year. Inter alia, this can be interpreted also as reduction of damage and saving lives. There are millions of tones of plant residue produced every day worldwide. These represent prospective business for manufacturers of compost additives called "accelerators". The opinions of the sale representatives' with regards to other alternatives of biowaste utilization and their own products were reviewed. The robust analyzes of several "accelerated" composts revealed that the quality was generally low. Only two accelerated composts were somewhat similar in quality to the blank sample that was produced according to the traditional procedure. Overlaps between the interests of decision makers on future soil fertility were weighed against the preferences on short-term profit. Possible causes that allowed the boom of these underperforming products and the possible consequences are also discussed. Conclusions regarding the ethical concerns on how to run businesses with products whose profitability depends on weaknesses in the legal system and customer unawareness are to follow. KEYWORDS: Composting; Ethics; Soil; Vegetation cover; Wildlife passes PMID: 26026968 DOI: 10.1007/s11948-015-9664-y [Indexed for MEDLINE]