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Life cycle cost–benefit efficiency of food waste treatment technologies in China

Author

Listed:
  • Ziyao Fan

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Huijuan Dong

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Yong Geng

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    China Institute for Urban Governance, Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Minoru Fujii

    (National Institute for Environmental Studies)

Abstract

Food waste treatment and utilization is important in sustainable waste management. Unlike most existing studies on environmental impact analysis of food waste treatment technologies, this study conducted both environmental impacts and economic cost analysis of food waste treatment technologies using life cycle assessment and life cycle cost methods. Five promising technologies in China are compared, including anaerobic digestion (AD), aerobic composting combined digestion (AC + AD), aerobic composting (AC), biochemical processor (BP), and anaerobic digestion combined feed processing technology (AD + FP). Results show that the rank of environmental impact is AD + FP > AD > BP > AC + AD > AC, while the rank of LCC is AC + AD > AD + FP > BP > AC > AD. Aerobic technology usually has a lower environmental impact, but slightly higher economic cost compared with anaerobic technology, about 188 CNY/t and 249 CNY/t, respectively. AD + FP has the best environmental performance (4.5E−11/t), and AC + AD has the best economic performance (5.3 CNY/t) due to profits from soil amendment selling. Mixed technologies AC + AD and AD + FP exhibit obvious better cost–benefit efficiency than single treatment technology AC or AD and thus are suggested to be set priority in food waste treatment. BP has relatively good performance and is worthy of consideration for regions with small treatment demand.

Suggested Citation

  • Ziyao Fan & Huijuan Dong & Yong Geng & Minoru Fujii, 2023. "Life cycle cost–benefit efficiency of food waste treatment technologies in China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(6), pages 4935-4956, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:25:y:2023:i:6:d:10.1007_s10668-022-02251-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-022-02251-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xu, Changqing & Shi, Wenxiao & Hong, Jinglan & Zhang, Fangfang & Chen, Wei, 2015. "Life cycle assessment of food waste-based biogas generation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 169-177.
    2. Tong, Huanhuan & Shen, Ye & Zhang, Jingxin & Wang, Chi-Hwa & Ge, Tian Shu & Tong, Yen Wah, 2018. "A comparative life cycle assessment on four waste-to-energy scenarios for food waste generated in eateries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C), pages 1143-1157.
    3. Giovanni Mondello & Roberta Salomone & Giuseppe Ioppolo & Giuseppe Saija & Sergio Sparacia & Maria Claudia Lucchetti, 2017. "Comparative LCA of Alternative Scenarios for Waste Treatment: The Case of Food Waste Production by the Mass-Retail Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-18, May.
    4. Yong, Zihan & Dong, Yulin & Zhang, Xu & Tan, Tianwei, 2015. "Anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and straw for biogas production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 527-530.
    5. Micky A. Babalola, 2020. "A Benefit–Cost Analysis of Food and Biodegradable Waste Treatment Alternatives: The Case of Oita City, Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cui Tiening & Fu Yuqiang, 2024. "Assessment of the Efficiency of Synergistic Management of Urban Domestic Waste Management and Carbon Emission Reduction in China," Advances in Management and Applied Economics, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 14(6), pages 1-17.

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