A novel strategy for urban and rural organic waste utilization with outstanding integrated benefits: based on study in China's Taihu Lake region

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2024-04, Vol.450, p.142076, Article 142076
• Main Authors: Zhang, Runhao, Li, Yongze, Qi, Chujie, Liu, Bo, Zhou, Kai, Yang, Yuchen, Dai, Hui, Zhao, Zhenzhen, Bian, Bo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Integrated benefits; Life cycle assessment; Material flow analysis; Multivariate evaluation; Typical organic waste
• ISSN: 0959-6526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.142076

Typical organic waste in urban and rural regions (TWUR) is big in volume and poor in resource utilization, and there is currently a lack of integrated evaluation studies on the optimal pattern of TWUR resource utilization. Based on a representative case study of China's circum-Taihu Lake region, this study integrated material flow, life cycle assessment and comprehensive evaluation methods to explore the optimal scenario pattern for TWUR disposal and utilization under multi-scenario settings from multiple perspectives, including cost-benefit-technology-resource depletion. The synergistic coupled aerobic fermentation scenario in Scenario S2, which has a high level of technological maturity and can maximize nutrient recycling while minimizing environmental impacts, is the optimal scenario for using TWUR, according to the results of the entropy weight-TOPSIS integrated evaluation. Following the implementation of Scenario S2, 20% of the chemical fertilizers utilized in the study region will be substituted with organic fertilizers, resulting in a $16.19 billion reduction in organic waste disposal expenses and $228.64 billion in economic benefits. Additionally, China's carbon emissions will drop by 94.316 million tons as a result. This study validates that the optimal configuration pathway to achieve TWUR resource usage is synergistic coupled aerobic fermentation, in contrast to the majority of prior studies. In addition to being a valuable reference for TWUR's resource use transition and future market planning, this environmental technology analysis will help China in achieving its carbon emission reduction targets. [Display omitted] •Multi-source typical organic waste disposal and utilization models were constructed.•Scenario 2 is the optimal pattern according to the multivariate integrated evaluation.•TWUR disposal pattern shift improves N/P recovery and reduces environmental impacts.•Promotion of optimal scenario will reduce disposal costs and yield vastly benefits.•TWUR rational disposal could offset 0.82% of the nation's CO2 emissions.