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Life cycle assessment of source separation of biowaste, pay as you throw systems and autonomous composting units in the Municipality of Katerini, Greece

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Abstract

Nowadays, composting technologies are being used to manage food waste (FW), which is an environmentally friendly method of waste management in which organic matter can decompose biologically. The BIOWASTE project promotes the transfer and application testing of innovative technologies (PAYT and ACUs), aiming to enhance management efficiency in solid waste-related issues, such as source separation schemes and treatment systems emphasizing organic waste. The proposed systems were introduced in the Municipality of Katerini. Ιn the framework of the BIOWASTE project, the Municipality of Katerini developed a detailed pay-as-you throw (PAYT) system and installed two Autonomous Composting Units (ACUs) in decentralized communities to receive the biowaste produced directly without the need for collection. ACUs are small closed integrated composting units that neutralize effluent and expanding liquids. The aim of this paper is to present the results of a case study dealing with the life cycle environmental assessment of the PAYT system and autonomous composting of food waste in decentralized communities of the Municipality of Katerini, Greece. The results of the study indicate that autonomous composting is environmentally preferable over landfill, the current organic waste management practice in Greece. Each ton of biowaste diverted from landfill, due to mechanical composting, saves 0.21 t CO2 eq.

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Abbreviations

FW:

Food waste

ACUs:

Autonomous composting units

PAYT:

Pay-as-you throw

MSW:

Municipal solid waste

SS:

Source separation

GHG:

Greenhouse gas

SSS:

Source separation scheme

LCA:

Life cycle assessment

ISO:

International organization for standardization

EU:

European union

TSE:

Temporary storage equipment

RFID:

Radio-frequency identification

ODP:

Ozone depletion potential

GWP:

Global warming potential

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Acknowledgements

This paper is co-funded by the European Union and National Funds of the participating countries. Interreg V-B Balkan Mediterranean 2014–2020. Program: Utilising Pay As You Throw Systems and Autonomous Composting Units for Biowastes Management in Touristic Areas (Acronym: BIOWASTE).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Solid Waste & Wastewater Management, School of Agricultural Technology, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71401, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    A. E. Maragkaki, G. Sabathianakis & T. Manios

  2. ENVIROPLAN SA, 23 Perikleous & Iras St., Gerakas, 15344, Athens, Greece

    G. Litas & C. Tsompanidis

  3. Municipality of Katerini, Pl. Dimarchiou, 60133, Katerini, Greece

    A. Poda

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  1. A. E. Maragkaki
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Maragkaki, A.E., Sabathianakis, G., Litas, G. et al. Life cycle assessment of source separation of biowaste, pay as you throw systems and autonomous composting units in the Municipality of Katerini, Greece. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 25, 2498–2512 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-023-01708-6

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