Abstract
Valorization of municipal solid waste (MSW) plays a crucial role in a sustainable society and provides an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions. The economic and social viability of the treatment of the organic fraction of MSW (OFMSW) with a multi-scenario analysis (composting and anaerobic digestion for renewable electricity or for biomethane injection into natural gas networks) was studied using a Monte Carlo simulation. The cost of treating organic fraction of MSW to neutralize financial net present value (NPV) and social NPV through greenhouse gas emissions avoided was determined for each scenario. The costs considered were the investment and the operating and maintenance costs. The financial benefits from the revenue of subproducts depended on the scenario. The lowest average fee to neutralize the financial NPV was 6.38 €/tonne treated in anaerobic digestion for biomethane injection into natural gas networks, therefore, it was the most financially viable. The average social NPV calculated for biomethane injection into natural gas networks (16.60 €/tonne) was higher than that obtained for renewable electricity (13.59 €/tonne). According to the results, anaerobic digestion for biomethane injection into natural gas networks is the most socially and economically viable alternative for the treatment of OFMSW.
Highlights
Considering the severe consequences that improper waste management systems can pose for the environment and society, valorization of municipal solid waste (MSW) represents a relevant matter for policymakers [1]
Recycling of MSW plays a crucial role in a sustainable society, where waste management strategies should promote an efficient development of MSW recycling markets [4]
Considering the requirements of Directive 2018/851, which amended Directive 2008/98/EC on waste, in the present research, the following three different alternative scenarios based on the selective collection of OFMSW were developed for comparison: (i) Scenario 1, (ii) Scenario 2, and (iii) Scenario
Summary
Considering the severe consequences that improper waste management systems can pose for the environment and society, valorization of municipal solid waste (MSW) represents a relevant matter for policymakers [1]. Waste management is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and provides an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions that have yet to be fully exploited [2]. The long-standing exploitation of fossil fuel has resulted in global warming due to significant greenhouse gas emissions with its attendant environmental and health problems [3]. Recycling of MSW plays a crucial role in a sustainable society, where waste management strategies should promote an efficient development of MSW recycling markets [4]. The European Union recently issued, in January 2017, a broad and complex set of regulations, for the action plan for the circular economy which included promoting waste recycling across the member states with the aim of achieving the target for recycling 70% of MSW by 2030 [1]. The recycling of waste, in a model based on the
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
