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Decision making methodology for biowaste management planning support

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Summary:In the European Union (EU), biowaste accounts for 34 % of municipal waste generated. The EU Directive 2018/851 established a mandatory separate collection of biowaste by the end of 2023. The Directive allows for derogation in case the collection of waste is not technically, economically, or environmentally feasible. This study proposes a decision-making methodology to assess the technical feasibility of separate collection of biowaste. Two new indicators are proposed: the “Artificial Urban Area” indicator, which assesses the size of the built-up area where biowaste is generated, and the “Generation” indicator, which estimates the quantities of biowaste to be collected. To demonstrate its applicability, the methodology is applied to a national case study. Our results conclude that waste collection is technically viable in 44 % of national parishes, representing 85 % of the country's total biowaste generation. This study provides insight into where biowaste generation is concentrated, thus supporting an efficient allocation of waste management resources.
Main Authors:Ana, João Brito
Other Authors:Moreno, Rodrigo; Gomes, Maria Isabel; Silveira, Ana
Subject:Biowaste Decision making support Indicators Waste collection Waste management Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment General Environmental Science Strategy and Management Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
Year:2025
Country:Portugal
Document type:article
Access type:open access
Associated institution:Universidade Nova de Lisboa
Language:English
Origin:Repositório Institucional da UNL
Description
Summary:In the European Union (EU), biowaste accounts for 34 % of municipal waste generated. The EU Directive 2018/851 established a mandatory separate collection of biowaste by the end of 2023. The Directive allows for derogation in case the collection of waste is not technically, economically, or environmentally feasible. This study proposes a decision-making methodology to assess the technical feasibility of separate collection of biowaste. Two new indicators are proposed: the “Artificial Urban Area” indicator, which assesses the size of the built-up area where biowaste is generated, and the “Generation” indicator, which estimates the quantities of biowaste to be collected. To demonstrate its applicability, the methodology is applied to a national case study. Our results conclude that waste collection is technically viable in 44 % of national parishes, representing 85 % of the country's total biowaste generation. This study provides insight into where biowaste generation is concentrated, thus supporting an efficient allocation of waste management resources.