A novel strategy for urban and rural organic waste utilization with outstanding integrated benefits: based on study in China's Taihu Lake region

Abstract

Typical organic waste in urban and rural regions (TWUR) is big in volume and poor in resource utilization, and there is currently a lack of integrated evaluation studies on the optimal pattern of TWUR resource utilization. Based on a representative case study of China's circum-Taihu Lake region, this study integrated material flow, life cycle assessment and comprehensive evaluation methods to explore the optimal scenario pattern for TWUR disposal and utilization under multi-scenario settings from multiple perspectives, including cost-benefit-technology-resource depletion. The synergistic coupled aerobic fermentation scenario in Scenario S2, which has a high level of technological maturity and can maximize nutrient recycling while minimizing environmental impacts, is the optimal scenario for using TWUR, according to the results of the entropy weight-TOPSIS integrated evaluation. Following the implementation of Scenario S2, 20% of the chemical fertilizers utilized in the study region will be substituted with organic fertilizers, resulting in a $16.19 billion reduction in organic waste disposal expenses and $228.64 billion in economic benefits. Additionally, China's carbon emissions will drop by 94.316 million tons as a result. This study validates that the optimal configuration pathway to achieve TWUR resource usage is synergistic coupled aerobic fermentation, in contrast to the majority of prior studies. In addition to being a valuable reference for TWUR's resource use transition and future market planning, this environmental technology analysis will help China in achieving its carbon emission reduction targets.