Environmental Assessment of Alternatives for Biowaste Treatment in Mexico City

Abstract

This paper aims to determine the environmental performance of the current landfill gas management system (based on flaring) in Mexico City (Bordo Poniente) in comparison to the collection of biogas generated from solid waste through one of the most innovative technology implemented in Denmark (Aikan Technology), which produces biogas and digestate from waste. Two alternative scenarios are proposed in which the Aikan Technology is implemented in Bordo Poniente to replace the existing system (reference scenario) that involves landfilling inorganic waste and composting organic waste in Bordo Poniente with no biogas recovery. The biogas recovered through Aikan Technology is exploited to provide heat and electricity (Scenario 1) or biofuel for the transportation sector (Scenario 2). A comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed to evaluate the environmental performances associated with all scenarios by evaluating the impact categories Climate Change, Fossil Depletion, and Cumulative Energy Demand. According to the waste capacity of Bordo Poniente, the implementation of the Aikan Technology would result in a total annual reduction of 0.14 and 0.08 Mt of CO 2 eq for Scenario 1 and Scenario 2, respectively. Scenario 1 was also the best performing scenario with respect to fossil depletion (−52 kg oil eq ton −1 of organic waste) and cumulative energy demand (−3,557 MJ ton −1 of organic waste). The implementation of Aikan Technology in Mexico City represents an important challenge and requires further research into its economic and political feasibility. When it comes to tackling global environmental problems, international agreements ascribe high importance to environmental technology transfer. This study represents a preliminary step in terms of environmental assessment and thus provides important information for policymakers attempting to achieve more sustainable management of solid waste in Mexico.

Expanding Plastics Recycling Technologies: Chemical Aspects, Technology Status and Challenges

“…A growing number of these companies in Latin America offer the following benefits in MSW management: a reduction in public spending, selective processing of domestic, commercial, and industrial waste, use of specialized technology and skilled workforce, generation of well-paying jobs, and management projects contributing to sustainable development. [132][133] This recycling strategy is very distinctive from the circular economy and it has been identified as a vector contributing to the fulfillment of Sustainable Development Objectives set by the United Nations. For this reason, federal and local governments in Latin American communities have established legal frameworks to trigger waste recycling, as in the case of Brazil, which in 2010 established the National Solid Waste Policy, and Mexico, which in 2003 approved the Law for the Prevention and Integrated Management of Waste, and very recently the General Law of Circular Economy with the aim of promoting efficiency in the use of waste through reuse and recycling.…”

Expanding plastics recycling technologies: chemical aspects, technology status and challenges

“…A growing number of companies in Latin America offer the following benefits in MSW management: a reduction in public spending, selective processing of domestic, commercial, and industrial waste, use of specialized technology and skilled workforce, generation of well-paying jobs, and management projects contributing to sustainable development. [129][130] This recycling strategy is very distinctive from the circular economy and it has been identified as a vector contributing to the fulfillment of Sustainable Development Objectives set by the United Nations. For this reason, federal and local governments in Latin American communities have established legal frameworks to trigger waste recycling, as in the case of Brazil, which in 2010 established the National Solid Waste Policy, and Mexico, which in 2003 approved the Law for the Prevention and Integrated Management of Waste, and very recently the General Law of Circular Economy with the aim of promoting efficiency in the use of waste through reuse and recycling.…”