Community scale in-situ rapid biological reduction and resource recovery of food waste

Abstract

In this study, a community-scale in-situ rapid biological reduction (IRBR) system was applied to achieve the rapid disposal and resource recovery of food waste (FW). A total of 5263 kg FW was processed in the 35 days of stably operation, during which 84.37% total mass reduction and 43.30% volatile solid removal were achieved, and the odor had been effectively controlled. Microbial sequencing results showed that aerobic and facultative thermophilic bacteria were major bacterial community, and vigorous metabolism of both carbohydrate and amino acid were maintained during the IRBR process. The final products have the potential to be recycled as organic fertilizers or bio-solid fuel to realize resource recovery. The results of economic analysis showed that the IRBR system had lower FW disposal costs due to the high automation. These results suggested that the IRBR system was an environmentally friendly, economical and practical method for the FW rapid treatment.

Keywords: Community-scale food waste disposal; In-situ rapid biological reduction system; Organic degradation; Solid residue recycle.