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Case Study: LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS OF THE ECOCLEANER® ORGANIC WASTE
COMPOSTING PROCESS by BIOWASTE RECYCLING
Biowaste Recycling provides waste management and recovery services.
EcoCleaner, a unique solution in Belgium, lays the foundations for a new line of
business for the recovery and reuse of food waste. This machine processes
food waste in 24 hours directly on the site where it is produced. The dry
substrate resulting from the process is collected and sold on the local market as
a soil improver.
Biowaste Recycling provides waste management and recovery services.
EcoCleaner, a unique solution in Belgium, lays the foundations for a new line of
business for the recovery and reuse of food waste. This machine processes
food waste in 24 hours directly on the site where it is produced. The dry
substrate resulting from the process is collected and sold on the local market as
a soil improver.
Description of
the company
The aim of the project is to assess the environmental impacts of
the EcoCleaner accelerated composting system, with a capacity
of 100 kg (corresponding to 700 dinners/day), and which can
process 50 tonnes of food waste a year. The functional unit was
defined as 1 tonne of processed canteen food waste. Avenues
for improvement were explored based on the results associated
with the current process.
The aim of the project is to assess the environmental impacts of
the EcoCleaner accelerated composting system, with a capacity
of 100 kg (corresponding to 700 dinners/day), and which can
process 50 tonnes of food waste a year. The functional unit was
defined as 1 tonne of processed canteen food waste. Avenues
for improvement were explored based on the results associated
with the current process.
Short
description of
the project
Key objectives
of the project
• To guarantee to consumers, on an
objective scientific basis, that the
environmental cost associated with the
composting system is very favourable ;
• To validate the environmental model of
this system compared with a
conventional composting system ;
• To identify any improvements that could
be made.
• To guarantee to consumers, on an
objective scientific basis, that the
environmental cost associated with the
composting system is very favourable ;
• To validate the environmental model of
this system compared with a
conventional composting system ;
• To identify any improvements that could
be made.
Timeline
• Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) according to
the standards ISO 14040 and ISO 14044
(CML-IA method).
• Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) according to
the standards ISO 14040 and ISO 14044
(CML-IA method).
LC approach
used in the
project
Sector
July 2015
–
March 2016
July 2015
–
March 2016
The initial motivation was a desire to develop
an argument for the existence of the
EcoCleaner, demonstrating the ease of this
solution for processing organic food waste.
This resulted in a desire to validate the
process with a view to communication to
legislative bodies and the general public.
The initial motivation was a desire to develop
an argument for the existence of the
EcoCleaner, demonstrating the ease of this
solution for processing organic food waste.
This resulted in a desire to validate the
process with a view to communication to
legislative bodies and the general public.
Motivation
factors
• Séverine Coppée – GreenWin ;
• Life Cycle Champions: Martin Neys –
UCM and Vincent Truyens – Comase ;
• Coach: Sylvie Groslambert – ULg-PEPs ;
• SME: Sébastien Finet – BIOWASTE
RECYCLING.
• Séverine Coppée – GreenWin ;
• Life Cycle Champions: Martin Neys –
UCM and Vincent Truyens – Comase ;
• Coach: Sylvie Groslambert – ULg-PEPs ;
• SME: Sébastien Finet – BIOWASTE
RECYCLING.
Project team
2
Case Study: LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS OF THE ECOCLEANER® ORGANIC WASTE
COMPOSTING PROCESS by BIOWASTE RECYCLING
The core business of Biowaste Recycling is the management
and recovery of food waste. With its desire to set up a new
waste recovery line of business, the LCA was used to
challenge the Business Model in environmental terms. It
transpired that there were significant gains compared with
current solutions and identified two points for improvement to
minimise the environmental impact. This LCA matched
perfectly with the activities being developed by Biowaste
Recycling.
The core business of Biowaste Recycling is the management
and recovery of food waste. With its desire to set up a new
waste recovery line of business, the LCA was used to
challenge the Business Model in environmental terms. It
transpired that there were significant gains compared with
current solutions and identified two points for improvement to
minimise the environmental impact. This LCA matched
perfectly with the activities being developed by Biowaste
Recycling.
Implementation
challenges/
lessons learnt
Expected
impact
Results of the
project
The LCA of the EcoCleaner composting system underlined the fact that:
• The category with the biggest impact was the depletion of abiotic resources, essentially because of the metals
used to construct the EcoCleaner. However this impact is limited by refurbishing the machine every 12 years,
and partially offset by the gain from recycling the metals ;
• The depletion of abiotic resources (fossil fuels) and global warming are mainly affected by the electricity
consumption required to process a tonne of canteen waste (339 kWh/t);
• The gains associated with avoiding the use of chemical fertilisers resulted in a relatively important negative
component in almost all categories ;
In conclusion, the accelerated composting of a tonne of canteen waste in an EcoCleaner can obtain in 24 hours a
very dry compost (> 80% DM) of very good quality, with a very impressive environmental performance.
The LCA of the EcoCleaner composting system underlined the fact that:
• The category with the biggest impact was the depletion of abiotic resources, essentially because of the metals
used to construct the EcoCleaner. However this impact is limited by refurbishing the machine every 12 years,
and partially offset by the gain from recycling the metals ;
• The depletion of abiotic resources (fossil fuels) and global warming are mainly affected by the electricity
consumption required to process a tonne of canteen waste (339 kWh/t);
• The gains associated with avoiding the use of chemical fertilisers resulted in a relatively important negative
component in almost all categories ;
In conclusion, the accelerated composting of a tonne of canteen waste in an EcoCleaner can obtain in 24 hours a
very dry compost (> 80% DM) of very good quality, with a very impressive environmental performance.
A "cradle-to-grave" Life Cycle Analysis of the EcoCleaner accelerated composting system with a capacity of 100 kg
of waste was conducted in order to quantify the current environmental impacts. The analysis does not take into
account production of the food that is the source of the waste. The functional unit was defined as 1 tonne of
processed canteen food waste. Electricity for operation corresponds to the Belgian mix (nuclear 55%, fossil fuels
40.6% and renewable 4.4%). This analysis was used to identify the composting system Life Cycle stages with the
greatest impacts and to determine avenues for improvement. In the current favourable context of the functional
economy, the model envisages quadrupling the lifespan of the machine (up to 48 years) by refurbishing the system
every 12 years and maximising the recycling of materials at its end of life.
A "cradle-to-grave" Life Cycle Analysis of the EcoCleaner accelerated composting system with a capacity of 100 kg
of waste was conducted in order to quantify the current environmental impacts. The analysis does not take into
account production of the food that is the source of the waste. The functional unit was defined as 1 tonne of
processed canteen food waste. Electricity for operation corresponds to the Belgian mix (nuclear 55%, fossil fuels
40.6% and renewable 4.4%). This analysis was used to identify the composting system Life Cycle stages with the
greatest impacts and to determine avenues for improvement. In the current favourable context of the functional
economy, the model envisages quadrupling the lifespan of the machine (up to 48 years) by refurbishing the system
every 12 years and maximising the recycling of materials at its end of life.
Description of
the project
Environmental impact
Various avenues for improvement were studied. The
use of photovoltaic electricity instead of the Belgian
electricity mix would result in significant gains in
almost all impact categories including a reduction of
75% for fossil fuel resources and 67.5% for global
warming potential. However the use of PV panels is
not good for the depletion of abiotic resources
because of the metals required to manufacture the
panels.
Environmental impact
Various avenues for improvement were studied. The
use of photovoltaic electricity instead of the Belgian
electricity mix would result in significant gains in
almost all impact categories including a reduction of
75% for fossil fuel resources and 67.5% for global
warming potential. However the use of PV panels is
not good for the depletion of abiotic resources
because of the metals required to manufacture the
panels.
Environmental impact of the treatment of one ton of food waste in
an EcoCleaner – CML-IA Method.
3
Case Study: LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS OF THE ECOCLEANER® ORGANIC WASTE
COMPOSTING PROCESS by BIOWASTE RECYCLING
Description of
maturity in LC
approaches
before the
project
The mission of Biowaste Recycling is to
provide an ecological solution. The
EcoCleaner was therefore eco-designed
to recover the food waste found in many
public or private institutions and
collectivities, and a functional economy
model had already been studied for its
use.
The mission of Biowaste Recycling is to
provide an ecological solution. The
EcoCleaner was therefore eco-designed
to recover the food waste found in many
public or private institutions and
collectivities, and a functional economy
model had already been studied for its
use.
Description of
maturity in LC
approaches
after the
project
Maturity and strategy
The project was used to validate the
functional economy model and to confirm the
relevance of eco-design, which could be
further improved in the near future
(alternative materials for EcoCleaner
manufacture). The results obtained enabled
Biowaste Recycling to consider implementing
improvements and then conducting a new
system assessment. The advantages over
traditional food waste processing methods
are undeniable and encourage the company
to request certification of its system at the
earliest opportunity.
The project was used to validate the
functional economy model and to confirm the
relevance of eco-design, which could be
further improved in the near future
(alternative materials for EcoCleaner
manufacture). The results obtained enabled
Biowaste Recycling to consider implementing
improvements and then conducting a new
system assessment. The advantages over
traditional food waste processing methods
are undeniable and encourage the company
to request certification of its system at the
earliest opportunity.
4
Case Study: LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS OF THE ECOCLEANER® ORGANIC WASTE
COMPOSTING PROCESS by BIOWASTE RECYCLING
Environmental assessment
From an environmental point of view, Biowaste Recycling has made it a point of honour to have the lowest cost to
realise its mission of recovering all the food waste generated in Belgium.
(Elimination of the risks of pollution and nuisance; utilisation of a reverse logistics model; utilisation of a functional
economy model to quadruple the lifespan of the technology; utilisation of a circular economy model by putting an
alternative to chemical fertiliser on the market).
Economic assessment
In economic terms, this new line of waste recovery business only requires an initial investment or a fixed leasing
contract for several years, unlike current solutions with constantly changing prices. This new business line can also
effectively combat legislative changes associated with waste such as higher prices for general waste
processing/collection, and/or the obligation for selective sorting.
Social assessment
At the social level, Biowaste Recycling wishes to collaborate with social enterprises and/or the long-term
unemployed in order to enable to reintegrate them into the labour market. Development of this line of business will
result in the creation of jobs nationwide.
Environmental assessment
From an environmental point of view, Biowaste Recycling has made it a point of honour to have the lowest cost to
realise its mission of recovering all the food waste generated in Belgium.
(Elimination of the risks of pollution and nuisance; utilisation of a reverse logistics model; utilisation of a functional
economy model to quadruple the lifespan of the technology; utilisation of a circular economy model by putting an
alternative to chemical fertiliser on the market).
Economic assessment
In economic terms, this new line of waste recovery business only requires an initial investment or a fixed leasing
contract for several years, unlike current solutions with constantly changing prices. This new business line can also
effectively combat legislative changes associated with waste such as higher prices for general waste
processing/collection, and/or the obligation for selective sorting.
Social assessment
At the social level, Biowaste Recycling wishes to collaborate with social enterprises and/or the long-term
unemployed in order to enable to reintegrate them into the labour market. Development of this line of business will
result in the creation of jobs nationwide.
Evaluation of
the project
Economic
feasibility
The LCA confirmed the choice of Business Model and technologies to satisfy the need for recovering food waste
from an environmental standpoint. Form an economic standpoint, the proposed Business Model had to be realistic
and viable for both Biowaste Recycling and for customers who would be using the EcoCleaner technology.
The improvements suggested by the LCA involve no additional cost for Biowaste Recycling, and the investments to
be proposed to customers in terms of alternative energy can be amortised over three years. Taking a holistic view,
this investment could enable customers to make additional savings because it would reduce their total energy
consumption.
The LCA confirmed the choice of Business Model and technologies to satisfy the need for recovering food waste
from an environmental standpoint. Form an economic standpoint, the proposed Business Model had to be realistic
and viable for both Biowaste Recycling and for customers who would be using the EcoCleaner technology.
The improvements suggested by the LCA involve no additional cost for Biowaste Recycling, and the investments to
be proposed to customers in terms of alternative energy can be amortised over three years. Taking a holistic view,
this investment could enable customers to make additional savings because it would reduce their total energy
consumption.
Sébastien Finet,
Director
www.biowasterecycling.com
Sylvie Groslambert,
University of Liège – Chemical Engineering
www.chimapp.ulg.ac.be
Séverine Coppée,
Project Manager
www.greenwin.be
LCiP project
www.lifelcip.eu
Sébastien Finet,
Director
www.biowasterecycling.com
Sylvie Groslambert,
University of Liège – Chemical Engineering
www.chimapp.ulg.ac.be
Séverine Coppée,
Project Manager
www.greenwin.be
LCiP project
www.lifelcip.eu
Planned follow-
up activitiesAs for alternative transport, Biowaste
Recycling has included in its manufacturing
plant specifications the use of a reverse
logistics model. In this way, the company is
trying to prevent having empty trucks on the
roads.
As for alternative sources of electricity,
Biowaste Recycling has a Belgian partner for
the installation of photovoltaic panels and a
partner in France for the supply of sheds
equipped with the panels in order to make
the installation independent.
As for alternative transport, Biowaste
Recycling has included in its manufacturing
plant specifications the use of a reverse
logistics model. In this way, the company is
trying to prevent having empty trucks on the
roads.
As for alternative sources of electricity,
Biowaste Recycling has a Belgian partner for
the installation of photovoltaic panels and a
partner in France for the supply of sheds
equipped with the panels in order to make
the installation independent.
Links and
contacts for
further
information
This project has been funded with support from the LIFE+ Programme of the EU. The views expressed here
are purely the authors’ own and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made
of the information contained herein.
This project has been funded with support from the LIFE+ Programme of the EU. The views expressed here
are purely the authors’ own and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made
of the information contained herein.
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