Composting has proved an effective way for municipalities to reduce both space and methane gas in landfills. Through years of research and trial and error the best methods for municipal solid waste composting are better understood. With a firm understanding of the microbial processes that take place during composting, the parameters for achieving a quality product can be controlled by physical means. A literature review was performed to outline the background, microbial processes, methodologies, environmental/health concerns, case studies, and the regulation behind the composting of municipal solid waste for both Eastern and Western countries.