Composting and Mechanical Biological Treatment for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Bizerte, Tunisia

Abstract

This study seeks to develop effective solutions and strategies for waste management in the Tunisian municipality of Bizerte by addressing the urgent need for sustainable waste management practices in light of the global imperative to mitigate climate change. With a specific focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, this investigation aligns with Tunisia’s commitment to international agreements, including the Paris Agreement and the Global Methane Pledge. This study begins with an exploration of background information, followed by data collection and waste characterization to determine the current situation and to detect gaps that exist in terms of waste management in Bizerte municipality. Two scenarios are proposed as potential solutions for the municipality. The first examines a green waste composting facility with a 1000-ton yearly capacity, which has been operational since 2020. This study describes the compost production process and evaluates the quality of compost derived from green waste. This approach demonstrates its potential for delivering significant environmental and economic benefits. The second scenario delves into the implementation of a mechanical biological treatment (MBT) plant for sustainable handling of residual waste while contributing to a reduction in the municipality’s overall environmental footprint. Using the Sweet software, version 4.0.2, July 2022. this study quantifies the potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from composting to be 3%, while the MBT achieves a reduction of 28%.