In developed countries such as those of the european Union, stringent legislations for the recycling of urban organic waste (UOW) have forced municipalities to reconsider traditional practices and seek environmental solutions with a minimum economic impact. As an alternative to centralized composting or anaerobic digestion facilities increasing collection and management costs, the onsite-treatment of UOW using home composting methods (HC) can eliminate transportation and labour costs. Nevertheless, HC needs to be managed in such a way as to produce a sanitary product. This study evaluated the performance of four different HC as compared to a laboratory compost reactor with forced aeration. During the first two weeks of active composting for all four HC, temperatures exceeding 55ºC demonstrated an active microbial community likely stabilizing the waste and reducing its parasite and pathogen levels. After 150 days, the mature compost from all HC exhibited 15 to 20% moisture content except for that of the rotating metallic drum, which remained at 77% because of blocked ventilation ports.