Abstract
Food waste represents the largest fraction of the municipal solid waste generated in Europe and its management is associated to suboptimal performance in environmental, health, and social dimensions. By processing detailed multi-fold local data as part of a comprehensive and broadly understandable sustainability framework, this study quantifies the environmental and socio-economic impacts of household food waste management in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area based on priorities set by local stakeholders. Five alternative short-term management options have been assessed against the current system, relying on poor separate collection and incineration. Four options involve separate collection of food waste followed by biological treatments (home/centralised composting and anaerobic digestion) while one involves a mix of separate collection and centralised mechanical-biological treatment followed by anaerobic digestion. Among these, separate collection followed by anaerobic digestion coupled with effective nutrient and energy recovery is, according to our findings, the preferred option to improve the sustainability of the current system in all dimensions considered, except for the economic pillar due to the collection costs. Home and centralised composting as well as mechanical-biological treatment are associated to more adverse impacts based on our findings. The study informs local stakeholders and authorities on the potential consequences of their options, thereby allowing them to make sound choices for a future waste and circular economy strategy.
Highlights
Food waste is the largest material fraction of the municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in Europe
One of the key ambitions formulated in the development program of the AMA is to play a pioneering role in the knowledge and circular economy (Metropoolregio Amsterdam, 2019)
Economic, and social impacts based on the priorities of local stakeholders, this study evaluates the sustainability of different options for the management of household food waste using the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area as a case study
Summary
Food waste is the largest material fraction of the municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in Europe (with a share of 30-50%; Treadwell, et al, 2018). The 60-65% policy target set out for the years 20302035 on the amount of MSW prepared and sent for reuse or recycling is only likely to be met when incineration of food waste is avoided. While a general management hierarchy is proposed (European Parliament and the Council, 2018), the choice of the management scheme can be situation-dependent to ensure the environmental, economic, and social sustainability at the local level. To this purpose, application of life cycle thinking is recommended (European Parliament and the Council, 2008)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
