Converting Municipal Waste to Energy through the Biomass Chain, a Key Technology for Environmental Issues in (Smart) Cities

Catalin Vrabie

doi:10.3390/su13094633

Abstract

Cities around the world should prioritize the management of municipal solid waste (MSW). For this to be effective, there is a strong need to buildup a complex system that involves social, economic, and environmental processes, leading to a supply chain (SC). The actors involved in dealing with MSW—from suppliers, collectors, distributors, industries, and managers—should be engaged in strategic planning. This paper focuses on alternative energy solutions and uses existing SC models of managing MSW, as well as the existing literature, to identify successful stories in cities like Bergen and Tønsberg in Norway, London in UK and Barcelona in Spain and draw a conceptual framework for city officials in Romanian municipalities (but not only) to innovate—and convert MSW in biogas to be used in delivering public services, i.e., public transportation. The article shows that when the innovation is accepted and well implemented by all actors, the benefits for the citizens and the municipality are considerably higher than by using conventional methods of collecting and depositing MSW. The proposed approach is also relevant for implementing the EU environment policy, where delays are usually observed (as the case for Romania).

Highlights

IntroductionSince increasing discussions have aimed at developing strategies and governmental policies to stimulate the production and use of renewable energy all around the world [20,21]
In the year 2010, the system was developed to such an extent that today it serves 8953 households and businesses plus 1200 public waste inlets covering an area of roughly 800,000 m2 and being able to transport the waste extremely fast (70 km/h) outside the city where the waste collection station is [75]
municipal solid waste (MSW) management should be considered as a strategic development director for the municipalities due to the complexity and benefits of its supply chain

Summary

Introduction

Since increasing discussions have aimed at developing strategies and governmental policies to stimulate the production and use of renewable energy all around the world [20,21]. According to the European Commission, waste prevention programs—which are mandatory for every member state, should include recycling as a process in developing a circular economy, which, again, contribute to the reduction of waste—and, by that, the circle is closed. Michelini et al stated in 2017 that the circular economy paradigm is emphasizing the role of product-service systems as one of the most promising business models in this field [23], promoting take-back-centered systems as the most efficient way to recycle. Even though the previous hypotheses were already proven both by researchers and in practice, the potential has not been yet fully developed

Results

Discussion

Conclusion