Abstract
In order to study the quality of organic fractions of municipal solid waste (OFMSW), five different municipalities in Tuscany were chosen for sampling according to the peculiarities of their collection systems. The five collection systems selected were sampled four times: during March, June, September and December, for a total of 20 picking analyses. In addition, emphasis was also given to the study of the variability of OFMSW composition related to ultimate, proximate and bromatological analyses. Road container collection systems proved to have a higher content of non-compostable and undesirable fractions (22%±1%) when compared to door-to-door systems (6% ± 1%). During months with lower temperature (March and December), the garden waste content in the OFMSW was negligible, with kitchen waste prevailing. This altered the physical chemical composition of OFMSW, which had a lower lignin content and higher methane production in the months with lower temperatures (272 ± 23 NLCH4 kgTVS−1) compared to June and September (238 ± 14 NLCH4 kgTVS−1). In general, the Tuscan OFMSW had a higher dry matter content (42%) than observed in previous studies. In conclusion, the result could direct possible future operators of anaerobic digestion plants towards the choice of dry and semi-dry technologies.
Highlights
The organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) is the single largest component of the waste stream by weight in the European Union where about 96 million tons are thrown away each year [1]
In accordance with to the circular economy approach, it is essential to produce a good digestate for agronomic purposes and this can happen if the OFMSW is of good quality
In order to study the quality of OFMSW, 5 different municipalities in Tuscany were chosen for the sampling according to the peculiarities of their collection systems
Summary
The organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) is the single largest component of the waste stream by weight in the European Union where about 96 million tons are thrown away each year [1]. In accordance with to the circular economy approach, it is essential to produce a good digestate for agronomic purposes and this can happen if the OFMSW is of good quality For this reason it is necessary to investigate the factors driving the feedstock characteristics [10]. In order to design and manage an anaerobic digester, physical characteristics of the OFMSW is important as it influences biogas production and process stability [11]. The physical, chemical, elemental and bromatological characteristics of OFMSW from 43 cities in 22 countries have been compiled by Campuzano and González- Martínez [12,13], the variation in waste characteristics being ascribed to the different cultural lifestyles and waste management systems found in these countries. Site-specific analyses do provide a better understanding of the characteristics of a particular waste, which would be necessary for activities such as better biogas recovery [7,14]
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