Waste Management 30 (2010) 697–701
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Waste Management
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/wasman
Energy or compost from green waste? – A CO2 – Based assessment
Martin Kranert a,*, Ralf Gottschall b, Christian Bruns b, Gerold Hafner a
a
Universität Stuttgart, Institute for Sanitary Engineering, Water Quality and Solid Waste Management, Bandtaele 2, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany
b
Humus and Erden Kontor GmbH, Karlsbrunnenstrasse 11, D-37249 Neu-Eichenberg, Germany
a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t
Article history: Green waste is increasingly extracted from the material recycling chain and, as a result of the financial
Accepted 30 September 2009 subsidy arising from the German renewable energy law for the generation of energy from renewable
Available online 6 November 2009 raw materials; it is fed into the energy recovery process in biomass power stations. A reduction in climate
relevant gases is also linked to the material recovery of green waste – in particular when using composts
gained from the process as a new raw material in different types of potting compost and plant culture
media as a replacement for peat. Unlike energy recovery, material valorisation is not currently subsidised.
Through the analysis of material and energy valorisation methods for green waste, with particular
emphasis on primary resource consumption and CO2-balance, it could be determined that the use of
green waste for energy generation and its recovery for material and peat replacement purposes can be
considered to be on a par. Based on energy recovery or material oriented scenarios, it can be further
deduced that no method on its own will achieve the desired outcome and that a combination of recycling
processes is more likely to lead to a significant decrease of greenhouse gas emissions.
Ó 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
1. Introduction ally of central significance when green compost is used as a peat
substitute in potting compost and plant culture media. This results
Financial subsidies for the generation of energy from renewable in a reduction in the use of primary resources, namely peat, and cor-
raw materials imply that green waste will also increasingly be respondingly in the release of CO2 due to the extraction of peat from
withdrawn in ever-greater quantities from material recovery and the moors, which if left in their natural state acts as a carbon sink.
fed into energy recovery systems by ignition (biomass power Approximately 0.6–0.9 million m3 of compost (mainly quality
stations). label compost) are used currently in Germany in the production
The electricity recovered through the valorisation of green of peat and soil substrates, of which approx. 0.3–0.5 million m3
waste in thermal ‘waste to energy’ plants is subject to the guide- are used as peat substitute materials in potting compost and cul-
lines of the German renewable energy law [Erneuerbare-Energien- ture media for horticultural purposes. In addition, a further poten-
Gesetz – EEG] (Anonymus, 2004). In concrete terms, this means tial from 1.5 to 3.0 million m3/a of these composts is expected to be
that for electricity generated from these systems a subsidy of ap- used as raw material for potting compost and plant culture media,
prox. 0.05–0.13 EUR/kWh, in the most advantageous case, is paid. from which a clear economic and ecological relevance can be iden-
This subsidy arises as the difference between the price determined tified (Hauke und Stöppler-Zimmer, 1999; BGK, 2006; Fischer,
by the renewable energy law and the costs for the generation of 2007). With respect to the CO2-balances and substitution of green
electricity from the conventional energy mix. waste for peat and fossil resources only few works have been car-
The objective from this ecological steering measure is to substi- ried out. Knappe et al. (2007) consider the material flow manage-
tute partially primary resources with renewable raw materials for ment of many kinds of biomass residues with the objective to
electricity generation and, above all, to exert a positive influence optimise the valorisation; while Boldrin (2009) carried out an
on the CO2-balance as an essential factor in that. In contrast to this, assessment for concrete waste management scenarios.
there is currently no subsidy for recycling biogenic materials Within the scope of the EdDE funded researched project (Kran-
through green waste composting. Without going into more details, ert et al., 2007), the recycling material and energy recovery path-
it should be noted, that this would already be worth of discussion ways for green waste were compared from the point of view of
considering the partial retention of CO2 through the carbon compo- primary resource consumption and CO2-balance. There was also
nent associated with humins when compost is used for large-scale an additional requirement to carry out further investigations to im-
plant production and cultivation. However, the CO2 aspect is gener- prove the data pool. As a comparison, the recovery of forestry wood
chips and scrap lumber for energy generating purposes was con-
sidered as an alternative wood energy source in biomass powers
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 711 68565495; fax: +49 711 68565460.
E-mail address:
[email protected] (M. Kranert). stations.
0956-053X/$ - see front matter Ó 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2009.09.046
698 M. Kranert et al. / Waste Management 30 (2010) 697–701
2. Current status CO2-savings are considered to be a result of carbon sequestration
from the re-growth of biomass over a 50 year period and, the sub-
Germany produces approx. 4,000,000 Mg of green waste per stitution of fossil fuels through energetic valorisation of garden
annum (Statistisches Bundesamt, 2007). A small percentage of waste or the substitution of peat through the use of green waste
this is used as structural material for biowaste composting and compost.
another is composted in separate bio/green waste facilities or Balancing depends on the input materials, the amount arising at
combi-plants. Furthermore, green waste is collected through the different seasons of the year and the type of processing or treat-
‘bio- or green waste bin’ system, which is partly treated in fer- ment. In addition, various model calculations were carried out with
mentation plants. respect to the recycling of green waste for energy recovery pur-
Based on a yearly green waste potential of approx. 90–100 kg/cap. poses, as well as for the substitution of peat with green waste com-
and the available statistics and surveys, the proportion of the post (see Table 1). In terms of peat, a differentiation was made
currently collected green waste was estimated to be approx. 50%, between mixed peat (humification degree H5–H7, domestic
with an average quantity of approx. 46 kg/cap and year per annum sources) and white peat (humification degree H2–H5, Baltic
and considerable differences between the individual Federal origin).
States (Fricke et al., 2003). Further 4,000,000 Mg/a of green waste To improve the basic data pool, a total of 81 samples of green
arising from agricultural maintenance activities are estimated waste (45 of the input material, 4 of the processed output, 32 of
(Statistisches Bundesamt, 2007). the screened waste chips, the input or the output) were analysed.
Green waste used to generate energy in biomass power stations In addition, the existing data on peat was evaluated and supple-
is sourced from individual composting plants, of which approx. mented with further 20 analyses. The green waste input material
20% up to more than 50% of the material is currently arising from was differentiated on the basis of the seasons, catchment area
these sources. The nationwide potential for energy recovery from and type of collection. This showed that, depending on the means
green waste has to be updated frequently, lying in a wide range be- of collection (self-delivery, bulk collection, removal of mixed gar-
tween 10 and 60 wt.% of the collected waste (approx. 0.4– den waste), there were significant differences, in particular with
2.4 million Mg). respect to the wood-based components.
In Germany, there are currently approx. 1000 composting The basic data for CO2 balancing, where green waste is recycled
plants for bio- and green waste, which range from small and for energy generation or material and peat replacement purposes,
low-tech plants up to technologically sophisticated industrial is shown for the four defined model materials in Table 1. Notably
plants (Statistisches Bundesamt, 2007). Just by considering the the composting of green waste, as well as the use and later dis-
composting of pure green waste it is possible to see that these posal/composting of peat/plant culture media, the level of degrada-
large-scale plants can reach a capacity of more than 35,000 Mg/a. tion of organic substance in these materials over a 50 year
In addition, there are also open composting windrows, generally ‘balancing period’ was calculated to be 85%. In comparison, the
used for green waste, which technologically compared to biowaste degradation of the organic substances to CO2 through oxidation
composting plants are significantly less sophisticated and in terms by combustion is calculated to 100%.
of odour emissions not of comparable relevance. The technical pro- The scenarios for material recycling and energy recovery pur-
cess steps include shredding, mixing/turning and screening, fol- poses were calculated on the basis of the data in Table 1, the anal-
lowed by further curing. In this process, a proportion of some yses as per and the process chains. The following four models were
material flows are screened off, particularly after the shredding considered in this process (Hu = lower calorific value).
process, and taken either immediately or after further processing
and drying for energy generation purposes. dry wood-based green waste, Hu 14.9 MJ/kg (F1 best case),
mixed green waste with high percentage of wood-based materi-
als and only a very low percentage of herbaceous materials (Hu
3. Material and methods 10.0 MJ/kg) – F2,
mixed green waste with high percentage of herbaceous materi-
In order to analyse the global warming potential of energy als, low percentage wood-based material and smaller amounts
recovery versus material recycling, a CO2-balance of each system of soil components (Hu 5.6 MJ/kg) – F3,
was carried out by means of a process chain analysis. The scope herbaceous/grassy green waste with soil components, Hu 2.0 MJ/kg
of the analysis covers the release and the savings of CO2. Within (F4 worst case).
the analysis of CO2, the emissions generated by the energy produc-
tion for the individual components of the process chains were con- Woody materials (F1) can replace high quantities of peat
sidered, as well as the CO2 that is released as a result of the rotting (0.7 m3 per m3 green waste), while herbal/grassy material (F4)
process or during energy recovery processes. On the other hand, can only replace small quantities (0.4 m3 per m3 green waste).
Table 1
Key parameters of green waste (F1 to F4) as basis of model calculations for the CO2 scenarios (energy recovery/material recycling with peat substitution).
Model/material H2O ODM Hu Diesel/oil Peat CO2 from use as CO2 from combustion
(% FM) (% DM) (MJ/kg FM) equivalent replacement substrate 85% ODMc 100% ODMd
(l/Mg FM)a factorb (kg CO2/Mg FM) (kg CO2/Mg FM)
F1 – woody 15 96 14.9 404 0.7 1472 1732
F2 – high% woody material/small% herbaceous material 35 80 10.0 271 0.6 941 1107
F3 – low% woody material/high% herbaceous material 45 60 5.6 152 0.5 597 702
F4 – herbaceous/grassy 70 60 2.0 54 0.4 326 383
Abbreviations: FM: fresh matter; DM: dry matter; ODM: organic dry matter; Hu: lower heating value.
a
Energy generating equivalent of calorific value for green waste as light fuel/diesel.
b
About 1 m3 green waste, as per F1–F4 yields 0.7/0.6/0.5/0.4 m3 green waste compost, which replaces the same quantity of peat.
c
The 85% biodegradation, 15% of C remaining in the soils.
d
About 100% of carbon oxidized to CO2.
M. Kranert et al. / Waste Management 30 (2010) 697–701 699
4. Results stances to 100%) is shown in Fig. 1, the composting and the
degradation of organic substances with the utilization of compost
4.1. Data for green waste as substrate (85% degradation of organic substances within 50 a)
is shown in Fig. 2.
The density of the analysed green waste ranged generally be- The third column group contains the re-growth of the organic
tween 300 and 500 kg/m3, and for screened woody materials be- substance within 50 a; this means that the organic carbon brought
tween 200 and 270 kg/m3. The results from the moisture analysis into the process chain and which was set free in form of CO2
of green waste were between 23% and 82% (mean value 52%), for through incineration or organic degradation is captured again com-
the ODM (organic dry matter, loss on ignition) between 39% and pletely by the vegetation (e.g., trees and bushes).
96% (mean value 74%); the lower calorific value mainly between The energy equivalents are shown in the fourth column group.
2.2 and 9.8 MJ/kg (approx. 94% of the tests) and in few cases In Fig. 1 result is given by saving diesel equivalents (see above)
<2 MJ/kg, i.e. more than 10 up to 12.8 MJ/kg FM. In contrast to this, through energy recovery. Fig. 2 shows frankly the CO2-saving sub-
the processed output materials for energy generation purposes, stitution of green waste by peat. The process chain for peat starts
with water contents between 15% and 41% (mean value 27%) and with the peat extraction passing to its transport (inland 450 km,
loss on ignition of 82–96% (mean value 91%), showed a calorific va- Baltic states 1500 km), its distribution and transport to the con-
lue (Hu) of approx. 10 MJ/kg and almost 15 MJ/kg (mean value ap- sumer, comprising also its organic degradation as substrate (degra-
prox. 12 MJ/kg). dation of 85% within 50 a).
The fifth column group illustrates the overall CO2-balance of the
4.2. CO2-balances arising from different recovery processes single aspects. When considering short term periods, the released
CO2 is generally not being recaptured completely by vegetation.
The following sections look on the one hand at the CO2-balances For the following comparisons a time of 50 years was set.
resulting from the recovery of biomass for power generation pur- If one looks in detail at the CO2-balance of woody biomass
poses and on the other hand at the material recycling and use of recovered for energy generation purposes, it is in the first place
the recovered compost as peat replacement. As a matter of princi- clear that green waste presents wide variations in the calorific va-
ple, it has to be noted that a significant factor affecting the CO2-bal- lue and CO2-balance (see Fig. 1) due to its large fluctuations in the
ances is the chosen period of observation. Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate material properties (see above).
the CO2-balances of energy and material recovery respectively, The result of the CO2-balance also shows that when green waste
considering substitution of peat by green waste. is used for composting and peat replacement, high to very high CO2
The first column group comprises the energy input to the pro- emission savings can be achieved (Fig. 2).
cess chain, beginning with the delivery (average 25 km), shredding, In comparison to energy recovery, material recycling plus peat
turning procedures during composting, sieving, up to the transport replacement produces equally good outcomes in terms of the dif-
to the recovery plant. The base for the calculation is the diesel ferent scenarios as a whole. If one looks at the individual correla-
equivalent (2.7 kg CO2/l diesel at 36.85 MJ/l). tions, it can be seen that in relation to the raw materials, a more
The second column group shows the transformation proce- or less similar level of benefit can be achieved with respect to both
dure. Incineration of green waste (oxidation of the organic sub- recycling systems for green waste with high wood content, whilst
Fig. 1. CO2-balance for energy recovery of defined green waste.
700 M. Kranert et al. / Waste Management 30 (2010) 697–701
green waste with a high percentage of herbaceous/grassy content mixed peat can be replaced with compost a higher CO2 benefit
and high mineral content show even better results in material can be expected with respect to energy recovery from materials
recycling by composting and peat replacement. In addition, if with high wood contents.
Fig. 2. CO2-balance resulting from material recovery of defined green waste through composting and peat replacement (domestic mixed peat H5 to H7).
Fig. 3. Process-specific comparison of CO2-balance for energy recovery and material recycling of biomass plus peat replacement (saving on CO2 emissions arising from
primary raw material replacement) (GW = green waste).
M. Kranert et al. / Waste Management 30 (2010) 697–701 701
Fig. 3 shows a process-specific comparison of the energy and narios for green waste can be derived from this, which in parallel
material recovery with peat substitution, in each case for best case implicates an increase in the collection quota. Prerequisite for this
(F1) and worst case (F4) scenarios. In the case of energy recovery, is that material recovery of green waste is awarded a climate pro-
the results of the process chain contemplation for energy recovery tection bonus equivalent to that of energy recovery purposes.
with wood chips and scrap timber are additionally shown. They are Overall, it can be derived from the study that through targeted
contrasted with mixed peat and white peat. The calculations are material flow oriented energy recovery and recycling of green
carried out analogue to the procedures shown for Figs. 1 and 2. waste, an important contribution can be achieved for the reduction
As illustrated in the CO2-balance summary in Fig. 3, the largest of carbon dioxide emissions.
reduction is achieved by green waste with high wood content
whenever it is used either for energy recovery or material recycling Acknowledgements
and peat replacement. Green waste with a high wood portion has
nearly the same CO2-saving potential as wood chips or scrap tim- We are deeply grateful to the Entsorgungsgemeinschaft der
ber. On the basis of current research and taking into account the deutschen Entsorgungswirtschaft e.V. (EdDE e.V.) for their financial
calculation method, it can also be deduced that if a poorer CO2-bal- support. Our particular thanks go also to the plant operators, insti-
ance of about 16–18% for energy recovery is accepted, compared to tutions and people, who have provided the project with data, test
the best results for material recycling and peat replacement, it is materials, literature and also shared their experiences with us.
possible to determine lower calorific values of 10–11 MJ/kg FM
(fresh mass). From the point of view of efficient CO2 emission sav- References
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