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

Alonso Albalate-Ramírez, Alejandro Padilla-Rivera, Juan Felipe Rueda-Avellaneda, Brenda Nelly López-Hernández, Luis Ramiro Miramontes-Martínez, Alejandro Estrada-Baltazar 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, 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
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

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-18

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.

Keywords: waste to energy; anaerobic digestion; food loss and waste; life cycle assessment; economic evaluation; geographic information systems; Mexico (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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