Waste generation is projected to double and triple in some low-income countries by 2050, yet over a quarter of the world’s population does not have access to waste collection. As a result, accumulating open dumps are interspersed in public spaces. The combination of high biodegradable waste fraction (50-80 percent of waste volumes) and open dumps in low-income countries could see solid waste-related greenhouse gas emissions rise from 1.6 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent in 2016 to 2.38 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent by 2050. As a result, various biowaste technologies have been proposed. This research intends to examine two simple and affordable biowaste treatment methods, using the same feedstock and environmental conditions in the treatment of organic waste. The research goal is to compare the environmental impacts of both technologies by introducing an engineered Black Soldier Fly (BSF) biowaste treatment solution to an existing, community-based and female-directed, biowaste densification facility. The simplicity of the BSF waste treatment and densification make them favourable to low-income communities. However, the inappropriate implementation of either method could result in major environmental impacts. Significant smoke is emitted from briquettes created from improper biomass recipes and technologies, while considerable emissions are released during the composting of the BSF frass (residue). Hence, the comparative environmental analysis of both treatment methods will mitigate problem-shifting, which is typical in introducing new technologies. Life Cycle Assessment will be the implemented methodology. Finally, the systematic trade-off analysis of two biowaste technologies considering the environmental impact will benefit locations interested in adopting the emerging BSF technology.
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