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Planning Biodegradable Waste Management in Stockholm
Author(s) -
Björklund Anna,
Bjuggren Charlotte,
Dalemo Magnus,
Sonesson Ulf
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of industrial ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.377
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1530-9290
pISSN - 1088-1980
DOI - 10.1162/108819899569683
Subject(s) - environmental science , waste management , arable land , incineration , anaerobic digestion , municipal solid waste , life cycle assessment , waste treatment , biodegradable waste , resource recovery , nutrient , biomass (ecology) , biochar , population , environmental engineering , wastewater , engineering , ecology , agriculture , methane , demography , macroeconomics , production (economics) , sociology , economics , biology , pyrolysis
Summary The environmental impact of the management of biodegradable waste in Stockholm, based mainly on incineration and landfilling, was compared to systems with significant nutrient recycling; large‐scale composting, anaerobic digestion, and separate collection and utilization of urine. The systems' emissions, residual products, energy turnover, and resource consumption were evaluated from a life‐cycle perspective, using a computerized model, ORWARE (ORganic WAste REsearch model). Transportation was of relatively low importance to overall environmental impact, even at high rates of nutrient recycling. This is remarkable considering the geographical setting of Stockholm, with high population density and little nearby farmland. Ancillary systems, such as generation of electricity and district heating, were crucial for the overall outcome. Increased recycling of nutrients in solid biodegradable waste in Stockholm can reduce net environmental impact, whereas separation of human urine to be spread as fertilizer cannot yet be introduced without increased acidification. Increased nutrient recycling from solid biodegradable waste inevitably increases spreading of metals on arable land. Urine is by far the least contaminated residual product. Spreading of all other residuals would be limited by their metal content.