Abstract:

Novel food waste treatment technologies have been successively developed and implemented, yet corresponding carbon emission studies remain insufficient. To quantify the carbon emission of food waste treatment, this research adopts China's first local standard Guidelines for Carbon Emission Accounting for Food Waste Treatment Projects to conduct a comprehensive carbon emission analysis. Five representative treatment approaches were evaluated, including Direct incineration with other waste, Incineration after Tri-phase separation, Anaerobic digestion, Black soldier fly larvae rearing, Fermentation to Acid. The assessment encompassed Scope 1-3 emissions and carbon offset components. On the whole, net carbon emissions (in CO₂ equivalent) demonstrate low levels. Anaerobic digestion had the lowest carbon emission of 90.82 kg CO₂-eq/t, followed by Fermentation to Acid (-81.10 kgCO₂/tFW), Incineration after Tri-phase separation (-80.98 kgCO₂/tFW), Black soldier fly rearing (-41.83 kgCO₂/tFW), and Direct co-incineration (-3.01 kgCO₂/tFW). Carbon emission of Scope 1 (0-52.43 kgCO₂/tFW) primarily attributes to direct emissions from waste processing and byproduct treatment. Carbon emission of Scope 2 (19.32-67.17 kgCO₂/tFW) primarily attributes to Indirect emissions from electricity consumption. Carbon emission of Scope 3 (2.23-7.21 kgCO₂/tFW) primarily attributes to chemical inputs. Carbon Offsets (-185.75-81.08 kgCO₂/tFW) derives from power generation (-123.75~-81.08 kgCO₂/tFW), biodiesel production (-62 kgCO₂/tFW), bio-based carbon sources (-40.66 kgCO₂/tFW), organic fertilizer (-34.61 kgCO₂/tFW), feedstock materials (-19.80 kgCO₂/tFW). Technical recommendations for low-carbon development include enhancing gas control systems, optimizing energy mix, and improving resource recovery efficiency.

Key words: food waste')">

food waste, treatment project, carbon emissions, accounting method