Circular economy pattern of livestock manure management in Longyou, China

Abstract

The development of biogas programs in rural China has led to great economic, social, ecological and environmental benefits. The focus of this study was the identification of the benefit relationship for various stakeholders via the evaluation of relevant policies, an analysis of the costs and benefits and an estimation of the environmental benefits of the livestock manure utilization in a biogas power generation company (BPGC) in Zhejiang province. The results demonstrated that the net present value (NPV) of the project was 8.85 million dollar, and the internal rate of return (IRR) was 36%. Compared to current projects, the BPGC had a higher investment potentiality. The annual environmental benefits of chemical oxygen demand and NH3–N reduction are 2.61 million dollar and 0.21 million dollar, respectively. The environmental benefits of the reduction of greenhouse gas emission is 1.54 million dollar/a. When the environmental benefits were considered in the cost–benefit analysis, the NPV of the project was 42.01 million dollar, and the IRR was 123.98%, and the BPGC exhibited significant social benefits. The government took advantage of a public–private partnership model to reach a common balance of benefits among government, enterprise, hog farms and the residents.