Technical Synthesis Assessment of the Anaerobic Digestion of Food Waste in Beijing

Abstract

Reducing the environmental and economic impacts of food waste is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and advancing the circular economy. This study evaluates the sustainability potential of anaerobic digestion of food waste (ADFW) in Beijing, a pioneer in China’s waste separation and ADFW implementation. By integrating a complementary judgment matrix, life cycle assessment, and techno-economic assessment, we assess ADFW projects from social, environmental, and economic perspectives. Results highlight that technology cost indicators are key to ADFW sustainability, while environmental indicators strongly correlate with other metrics (correlation coefficient >0.8). Treating all sorted food waste in Beijing─20% of total waste─via anaerobic digestion could generate $96.5 million in annual revenues and offset 0.295 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year. Sensitivity analysis suggests that implementing a food waste disposal charge of $52.24 per tonne is critical for mitigating market risks, particularly those linked to crude oil price fluctuations. These findings demonstrate that ADFW offers significant environmental and economic benefits, underscoring the importance of targeted policies and technological innovations to promote sustainable waste management and resource recovery, aligning with the goals of the circular economy.