The Municipal Solid Waste Management System with Anaerobic Digestion

Przemysław Seruga

doi:10.3390/en14082067

Abstract

This study investigated the applied methods for the collection and treatment of an organic fraction of municipal solid waste with anaerobic digestion (AD), including the effects of selective waste collection system introduction. As the research area, data from a waste treatment plant, which collects waste from about 260,000 inhabitants, was used as the selected waste management plan. Biowaste stream management was emphasized. Thus, research on energy recovery and the characteristics of digestate (nutrient and heavy metals content) obtained from biowaste AD was performed. The results of the studies and their quantitative data were interpreted. A significant discrepancy between the assumptions and the actual situation was revealed (up to 20% year-on-year regarding biowaste). An underestimation of the amount of waste when planning was noted. AD ensures energy recovery from biowaste, which can cover facility electricity needs and material recovery. The digestate might find agricultural usage and become an ecological product. The content of nitrogen (1.5%dry matter), phosphorus (0.55%dry matter), potassium (1.0%dry matter), and organic carbon (16.0%dry matter) indicate a positive impact on crops. Furthermore, it can improve the economic balance, by replacing costs with sales revenues.

Highlights

The predicted amounts of waste in the Voivodeship Waste Management Plan for the Lower Silesian Region for 2016–2022 [15], and those received by Zaklad Gospodarowania Odpadami Gac Ltd. (ZGO Gac) are shown in Residual/Mixed solid waste
municipal solid waste (MSW) management should be considered as a strategic concern for municipalities
The municipal solid waste management system (MSWMS) has to be prepared for this execution

Summary

Introduction

An increase in the environmental awareness of people has been observed [1]. An intensification of activities aimed at limiting the generation of waste, or eliminating it, is currently noticeable [2]. Zero waste or circular economy ideas, focusing on eliminating waste generation and enclosed life cycle products, are becoming more widespread [3]. International regulations, e.g., Directive 2006/12/CE [4], Directive 2014/94/UE [5], as well as national, i.e., the Polish Act of Waste [6], concerning municipal solid waste (MSW) volume increment, together with an increase in people’s awareness of the need for environmental care and recycling are more evident. Considering that the yearly generation of MSW is estimated at around 2 billion tons [2], MSW management can be seen as one of the most critical issues [7]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion