Mapping the Sustainability of Waste-to-Energy Processes for Food Loss and Waste in Mexico—Part 1: Energy Feasibility Study

Alonso Albalate-Ramírez, Alejandro Padilla-Rivera, Juan Felipe Rueda-Avellaneda, Brenda Nelly López-Hernández, José Julián Cano-Gómez and Pasiano Rivas-García ()
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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, NL, 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, NL, 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, NL, Mexico
José Julián Cano-Gómez: 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, NL, 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, NL, Mexico

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-18

Abstract: Mexico generated 8.9 Mt of food loss and waste (FLW) at food distribution and retail centers in the year 2022. Traditional management methods in Latin America primarily involve final disposal sites, contributing to national greenhouse gas emissions of 0.22 Mt CO 2 eq y −1 . This creates an urgent need for sustainable valorization strategies for FLW to mitigate environmental impacts. This comprehensive study analyzes the geographical distribution of FLW generation and proposes a valorization approach using WtE-AD plants. Geographic information systems were employed for geographical analysis, life cycle assessment was used for environmental evaluation, and circular economy business models were applied for sustainability assessment. The primary objective of this first part of the contribution is to evaluate the technical feasibility of implementing waste-to-energy anaerobic digestion (WtE-AD) plants for FLW management in Mexico considering their geographical locations. The results demonstrate that WtE-AD plants with treatment capacities exceeding 8 t d −1 can achieve positive energy balances and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Specific findings indicate that these plants are viable for large-scale implementation, with larger plants showing resilience to increased transport distances while maintaining energy efficiency. The results highlight the critical influence of methane yields and transport distances on plant energy performance. This study underscores the importance of strategically placing and scaling WtE-AD plants to optimize resource efficiency and environmental sustainability. These findings provide essential insights for policymakers and stakeholders advocating for the transition of Mexico’s food supply chain toward a circular economy. Future parts of this study will explore detailed economic analyses and the policy frameworks necessary for the large-scale implementation of WtE-AD plants in Mexico. Further research should continue to develop innovative strategies to enhance the techno-economic and environmental performance of WtE-AD processes, ensuring sustainable FLW management and energy recovery.

Keywords: waste to energy; anaerobic digestion; life cycle assessment; geographic information systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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