Qualitative and quantitative characterization of municipal waste in Tunisia: a case study of metropolitan Tunis

Abstract

Municipal solid waste management has evolved into a promising approach to climate issues and to the growing energy demand in Tunisian cities. However, energy recovery from organic waste in the Metropolis of Tunis is still complex. This is due to the city's unpredictable economy, urbanization level, and population growth rates. So far, this unpredictability has constrained access to accurate data about organic waste. This has led to slow progress in harnessing organic waste for renewable energy production. This study focuses on the conversion of the city's organic waste to biogas as a local energy supply. The potential quantity of organic waste and its theoretical energy content were estimated based on a case study in four areas in the Metropolis encompassing 12 municipalities, official records, and literature reviews. The aim of this mixed method was to enhance data quality and optimize the long‐term viability of a small‐scale biogas plant in the city. The results show that the area generates a considerable amount of organic waste (55–66%) with an annual theoretical energy content of 224.18 GWh. The yearly financial gain from the 25.5 MW biogas plant could reach 40 352 400 USD. The estimated organic waste with its considerable potential energy content represents a significant renewable energy source in the Metropolis of Tunis. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Comparative Life Cycle Environmental Impact Assessment of Fruit and Vegetable Waste Valorization by Anaerobic Digestion as an Alternative in a Mediterranean Market

“…These wholesale markets are an important sector of the food trade, having a relevant economic and social impact [3]. As wholesale markets are an important source of organic waste [4], proper waste management is still an urgent issue [5]. Improper handling of this growing waste stream can lead to negative environmental, economic, and social impacts.…”

Exploring the Biochemical Methane Potential of Wholesale Market Waste from Jordan and Tunisia for a Future Scale-Up of Anaerobic Digestion in Amman and Sfax

“…However, open markets are becoming hubs of organic waste generation in those countries where local open markets are widespread [3], with waste management increasingly being an urgent challenge due to population growth, urbanization, and tourism [4]. For instance, the agri-food sector generates approximately 140 million tons of biodegradable wastes yearly at the European Union (EU) level.…”

“…Open markets are a vital sector for 14 food trade in several areas worldwide, like Mediterranean countries, having a high 15 impact on both economic and social aspects given the solid historical bonds to the 16 agricultural surroundings [2]. In contrast to industrial markets, open markets offer the 17 opportunity primarily to farmers or multiple vendors to sell agricultural products in a 18 short food supply chain mode [3]. This entails the possibility of increasing solidarity 19 economy, fair trade, and home production and consumption, going beyond the 20 instrumental goal of profit typical of multinational food distributors [3].…”

“…In contrast to industrial markets, open markets offer the 17 opportunity primarily to farmers or multiple vendors to sell agricultural products in a 18 short food supply chain mode [3]. This entails the possibility of increasing solidarity 19 economy, fair trade, and home production and consumption, going beyond the 20 instrumental goal of profit typical of multinational food distributors [3].…”