Municipal Solid Waste Management
Inadequate collection, recycling or treatment and uncontrolled disposal of municipal solid waste are particularly frequent in low and middle-income countries, and lead to severe health risks and environmental pollution. In such countries often more than 50% of the total municipal solid waste is organic. Our research focuses on enhancing resource recovery of organic waste, as close to the source as possible, in order to alleviate problems of transport and disposal.
Research themes and projects:
- Anaerobic digestion of organic solid waste
Besides composting or direct animal feeding, anaerobic digestion (biomethanation) of organic solid waste is considered a promising treatment option for this particular waste fraction. Anaerobic digestion is a natural biological process that converts biomass into energy (biogas) in the absence of oxygen. Biogas – a mixture of CO2 and methane (CH4) – can be used as a renewable energy source for cooking, lighting or to generate electricity, thereby replacing other fuel sources. Biogas digestate is a nutrient-rich fertiliser that can be applied in gardens or agriculture.
- Decentralised composting
The existing physical plan and socio-economical situation of many cities in low and middle-income countries strongly favours the implementation of decentralised systems. Decentralised composting systems are less technology dependent. Low cost, locally available materials and simple technology can be used. Our research on composting includes co-composting of organic waste and faecal sludge as well as market demand for compost from organic waste.
- Conversion of Organic Refuse by Saprophages (CORS)
Saprophages include all organisms feeding of dead or decaying matter. Typical examples are earthworms, millipedes or insect larvae. Conversion of organic refuse by saprophages is an innovative technique to treat organic waste in low and middle-income countries, with degraded organic matter and saprophage organisms themselves as treatment products.
Key readings: We have compiled a list of key readings on the topic of Municipal Solid Waste Management.
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