Abstract
Mechanical composting is a popular treatment method for the mechanically separated organic fraction of municipal solid wastes to stabilize the waste material and reduce its environmental impacts. The model and life cycle inventory database are created based on the existing centralized mechanical composting facility located in Chania (Crete, Greece). This study aims to assess all stages of the composting process, wherein input-output flows are comprehensively analyzed based on specific waste fragments. The transfer coefficients are calculated for each waste fragment throughout the processes. The degradation rate is measured as kg of C and N released per Mg of the treated material. The results show that process degradation rates are independent of the initial fragmental composition. This is the first study that accurately models the fate of distinctive waste fragments in a composting plant, while the developed life cycle inventory (with regard to mass and energy balances) can be applied to estimate the environmental impacts regarding mechanical composting the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes.
Highlights
Biowaste (BW) represents a major fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW), which is consisted of food and kitchen waste from households, HORECA, and green waste from gardens and parks [1]
Water constitutes 52.5% of the total wet mass which is higher than MSOFMSW in other studies [41,42]
The main greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming are CH4 and N2 O, and their release depends on the technology, the waste input, and the management of the process
Summary
Biowaste (BW) represents a major fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW), which is consisted of food and kitchen waste from households, HORECA (hotels, restaurants, caterers), and green waste from gardens and parks [1]. It comprises the most significant waste fraction generated by households reaching up to 44% of total household waste globally [2,3]. Biowaste recovery and utilization started in the 90s with Directive 1999/31/EC [6] This directive obliges the member states of the EU to reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste and aims for 65% of all MSW produced to be recycled before 2030 (while only 10% should be disposed of in landfills). Anaerobic treatment has been studied in several cases since biogas can be produced for energy recovery [7,8]
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