1. Introduction
Management of municipal solid waste is an efficient method to
both increase resource efficiency (material and energy recovery
instead of landfill disposal) and to replace fossil fuels with renewable
energy sources (waste is renewable in itself to a large extent as
it contains paper, wood, food waste etc.).
In this paper the general outline and results from a comprehensive
system study of future waste management in the Gothenburg
region is presented. The purpose of the system study was to
evaluate new waste treatment options for municipal and industrial
waste from a system perspective. In the study a multifunctional
waste management system integrated with local energy systems
for district heating and electricity, wastewater treatment, agriculture
and vehicle fuel production is investigated with respect to
environmental impact and financial economy. Different waste
technologies as well as management strategies have been tested.
The treatment is facilitated through advanced sorting (source
separation of recyclable materials and MRFs (Material Recovery
Facility) for both bulky waste and source separated household
waste), efficient treatment facilities (thermal and biological