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

A.J. Komakech, C. Sundberg, H. Jönsson and B. Vinnerås

Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 2015, vol. 99, issue C, 100-110

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.

Keywords: Anaerobic digestion; Composting; Vermicomposting; Fly larvae compost; Global warming; Eutrophication (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:recore:v:99:y:2015:i:c:p:100-110

DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2015.03.006

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