Biodigesters for Sustainable Food Waste Management

Jay N. Meegoda (), Charmi Chande and Ishani Bakshi
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Jay N. Meegoda: Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
Charmi Chande: Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
Ishani Bakshi: Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 3, 1-37

Abstract: The global challenge of food waste management poses severe environmental and public health risks. Traditional disposal methods, such as landfilling and incineration, exacerbate these issues. Decomposing food waste in landfills emits methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than CO 2 , while landfill leachate contaminates soil and groundwater with hazardous pathogens and toxins. Additionally, improper waste disposal fosters microbial proliferation, posing severe health risks. Incineration, though commonly used, is inefficient due to the high moisture content of food waste, leading to incomplete combustion and further air pollution. Therefore, this review examines biodigesters as a sustainable alternative to traditional food waste disposal, assessing their effectiveness in mitigating environmental and health risks while promoting circular economy practices. It evaluates different biodigester designs, their operational scalability, and their economic feasibility across diverse global contexts. Through an analysis of case studies, this review highlights biodigesters’ potential to address localized waste management challenges by converting organic waste into biogas—a renewable energy source—and nutrient-rich digestate, a valuable natural fertilizer. The process reduces greenhouse gas emissions, improves soil health, and minimizes public health risks associated with microbial contamination. Various biodigester designs, including fixed-dome, floating-drum, and tubular systems, are compared for their efficiency and adaptability. Additionally, this review identifies key barriers to biodigester adoption, including feedstock variability, maintenance costs, and policy constraints, while also discussing strategies to enhance their efficiency and accessibility. This review is novel in its comprehensive approach, bridging the technological, environmental, and public health perspectives on biodigesters in food waste management. Unlike prior studies that focused on isolated aspects—such as specific case studies, policy analyses, or laboratory-scale evaluations—this review synthesizes the findings across diverse real-world implementations, offering a holistic understanding of biodigesters’ impact. By addressing knowledge gaps in terms of health risks, environmental benefits, and economic challenges, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders seeking sustainable waste management solutions.

Keywords: food waste; biodigester; anaerobic digestion (AD); biogas; renewable energy; fertilizer (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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