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Mapping the Sustainability of Waste-to-Energy Processes for Food Loss and Waste in Mexico—Part 2: Environmental and Economic Analysis

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  • Alonso Albalate-Ramírez

    (Departamento de Ingenieria Quimica, Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Av. Universidad S/N, Cd. Universitaria, San Nicolas de los Garza 64451, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
    Centro de Investigacion en Biotecnologia y Nanotecnologia, Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Parque de Investigacion e Innovacion Tecnologica, km 10 Highway to The International Airport Mariano Escobedo, Apodaca 66629, Nuevo Leon, Mexico)

  • Alejandro Padilla-Rivera

    (School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Juan Felipe Rueda-Avellaneda

    (Universidad Politecnica de Apodaca, Av. Politecnica No. 2331, Col. El Barretal, Apodaca 66600, Nuevo Leon, Mexico)

  • Brenda Nelly López-Hernández

    (Departamento de Ingenieria Quimica, Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Av. Universidad S/N, Cd. Universitaria, San Nicolas de los Garza 64451, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
    Centro de Investigacion en Biotecnologia y Nanotecnologia, Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Parque de Investigacion e Innovacion Tecnologica, km 10 Highway to The International Airport Mariano Escobedo, Apodaca 66629, Nuevo Leon, Mexico)

  • Luis Ramiro Miramontes-Martínez

    (Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Francisco Villa s/n, Fraccionamiento Ex Hacienda El Canada, General Escobedo 66050, Nuevo Leon, Mexico)

  • Alejandro Estrada-Baltazar

    (Departamento de Ingenieria Quimica, Instituto Tecnologico de Celaya, Av. Tecnologico y A. Garcia Cubas S/N, Celaya 38010, Guanajuato, Mexico)

  • Pasiano Rivas-García

    (Departamento de Ingenieria Quimica, Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Av. Universidad S/N, Cd. Universitaria, San Nicolas de los Garza 64451, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
    Centro de Investigacion en Biotecnologia y Nanotecnologia, Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Parque de Investigacion e Innovacion Tecnologica, km 10 Highway to The International Airport Mariano Escobedo, Apodaca 66629, Nuevo Leon, Mexico)

Abstract

Mexico generated 8.9 million tons of food loss and waste (FLW) in the year 2022, which was primarily managed through linear economy schemes where final disposal sites are predominant, leading to significant contributions to climate change and economic losses. This study, as a continuation of a prior work (Part 1), aims to evaluate the economic and environmental feasibility of implementing waste-to-energy anaerobic digestion (WtE-AD) plants for FLW management across Mexico, identifying the key factors that influence the competitiveness of these systems compared to conventional waste management practices. Using the outcomes of an energy feasibility analysis (Part 1), alongside life cycle assessment (LCA), geographic information systems, and cost engineering, this research analyzes the eco-efficiency and viability of WtE-AD for FLW valorization throughout the Mexican territory. The results indicate that, with a conventional waste management fee of USD 35.4 t −1 , only the largest WtE-AD plant in the State of Mexico (treatment capacity of 2536.8 t FLW d −1 ) achieved a positive net present value (NPV) of USD 70.1 million, while all the other plants remained economically unviable. Conversely, under an optimistic scenario with a fee of USD 139 t −1 , plants processing over 50 t FLW d −1 achieved profitability, with the largest plant reaching an NPV of USD 1.15 billion. The environmental assessment showed that larger plants effectively act as carbon sinks, with the largest plant reducing emissions by up to −89.8 kg CO 2 eq t −1 of FLW. These findings emphasize the need for appropriate waste management fees and governmental incentives to ensure the economic viability of WtE-AD plants. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers, highlighting the potential of WtE-AD technologies to contribute to Mexico’s energy transition and the shift toward a circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Alonso Albalate-Ramírez & Alejandro Padilla-Rivera & Juan Felipe Rueda-Avellaneda & Brenda Nelly López-Hernández & Luis Ramiro Miramontes-Martínez & Alejandro Estrada-Baltazar & Pasiano Rivas-García, 2024. "Mapping the Sustainability of Waste-to-Energy Processes for Food Loss and Waste in Mexico—Part 2: Environmental and Economic Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-18, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:22:p:9774-:d:1517265
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kor-Bicakci, Gokce & Eskicioglu, Cigdem, 2019. "Recent developments on thermal municipal sludge pretreatment technologies for enhanced anaerobic digestion," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 423-443.
    2. Andrea G. Capodaglio & Arianna Callegari & Maria Virginia Lopez, 2016. "European Framework for the Diffusion of Biogas Uses: Emerging Technologies, Acceptance, Incentive Strategies, and Institutional-Regulatory Support," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Alonso Albalate-Ramírez & Alejandro Padilla-Rivera & Juan Felipe Rueda-Avellaneda & Brenda Nelly López-Hernández & José Julián Cano-Gómez & Pasiano Rivas-García, 2024. "Mapping the Sustainability of Waste-to-Energy Processes for Food Loss and Waste in Mexico—Part 1: Energy Feasibility Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-18, July.
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