Solid Waste Composition and Waste-to-Energy Options at the Malawi University of Science and Technology in Malawi

By: Mapereka Francis Chagunda, Hope Chamdimba, Esther Mulipa, Austin Nyirenda,

Abstract

Lack of understanding of solid waste composition and generation rates is one of the major bottlenecks to the adoption of waste- to-energy technologies. Therefore, this study analyzed solid waste composition and generation rates at the Malawi University of Science and Technology. In addition, the study examined the potential waste-to- energy options for the university based on the available solid waste resources. The study involved collecting and analyzing 186.9kg of solid waste samples per day for a period of five days to determine solid waste composition and generation rates. A multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Model was used to evaluate the viability of anaerobic digestion, briquetting, pyrolysis, gasification, incineration with energy recovery, and landfill with gas extraction waste-to-energy technologies. The key factors considered in the analysis were feedstock availability, capital cost for developing the waste-to-energy technologies, operation and maintenance of the technologies, environmental sustainability opportunities presented by the technologies, and the availability of the policies and regulatory frameworks that motivate the development of the technologies. The study findings showed that organics, recyclables, and other types of waste accounted for 77%, 23%, and 0%, respectively. Anaerobic digestion, briquetting, gasification, and pyrolysis, landfill gas extraction, and incineration with energy recovery scores were 69%, 57%, 50%, 48%, and 47%, respectively. Therefore, anaerobic digestion emerged as the most suitable waste-to-energy option at the MUST. The university should adopt a policy that encourages onsite solid waste segregation, where organic solid waste can easily be extracted for anaerobic digestion