Life cycle assessment of biodegradable waste treatment systems for sub-Saharan African cities

Abstract

Most of the waste collected in sub-Saharan African cities is biodegradable but it is usually dumped in landfills, creating environmental and health challenges for residents. However, there are biodegradable waste treatment methods that could mitigate these challenges. This study analysed anaerobic digestion, composting, vermicomposting and fly larvae waste treatments using life cycle assessment (LCA). The impact categories assessed were energy use, global warming and eutrophication potential. The results showed that anaerobic digestion performed best in all impact categories assessed. However, management of the anaerobic digestion process is critical and methane losses must be kept very small, as otherwise they will cause global warming. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Anaerobic digestion; Composting; Vermicomposting; Fly larvae compost; Global warming; Eutrophication

Published in

Resources, Conservation and Recycling
2015, volume: 99, pages: 100-110
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

SLU Authors

• Komakech, Allan

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Makerere University

• Sundberg, Cecilia

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Jönsson, Håkan

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Vinnerås, Björn

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Global goals (SDG)

SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities
SDG12 Responsible consumption and production
SDG13 Climate action

UKÄ Subject classification

Other Environmental Engineering

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2015.03.006

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/68141