Even though composting is faster and cheaper, requiring less investment than anaerobic

digestion, there are advantages and disadvantages to both systems. Composting is the
decomposition of waste in the presence of oxygen, while anaerobic digestion occurs in the
absence of oxygen, in an enclosed chamber.

In a septic tank or pit latrine, biological stabilization occurs to stabilize fecal sludge so that it
does not break down naturally when stored, which can cause the release of unpleasant odors. The
sludge can then be composted to make fertilizer, or it can undergo anaerobic digestion to produce
biogas and fertilizer. 

Composting can be done on any scale with a much smaller initial investment and with little to no
training. It results in only one product which is fertilizer. Municipalities may consider
composting to be a more preferable method of waste management as it is quicker and more cost
effective, especially in areas where there are no applications for the usage of biogas. Also
anaerobic digestion is not a particularly efficient method of producing biogas, and to utilise the
biogas produced would require the construction of additional infrastructure.

However, composting requires the maintenance of an aerobic environment throughout the

composting pile. This is done by using perforated pipes going through the piles, and also by
turning over and mixing the compost periodically. This process is labor intensive and requires
space. Also, composting can spread certain diseases if not handled carefully, and release
ammonia into the atmosphere. 

On the other hand, anaerobic digestion produces biogas, which has the potential to replace fossil
fuels and can be used as a renewable source of energy. In an anaerobic digestion plant the biogas
produced could be used to heat up the tanks and run engines or turbines on-site. 

Anaerobic digestion may be the future of fecal sludge management with the proper utilization of
biogas as a renewable source of energy, and a well-designed system for post processing the
digestate.