Four ways university campus trash can benefit people and the planet
Shedding light on our innovative XO machines, we explore how solid waste streams in universities can be transformed into Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF), a valuable resource with significant potential…
The halls of US universities may be bustling, but a looming challenge demands the attention of academics. From energy-efficient buildings to cutting-edge research on climate change, these institutions are renowned for their sustainable impact. Yet, their waste management practices are far from exemplary.
According to Dump and Run Inc., the average college student generates a staggering 640 pounds of solid waste each year, contributing to the alarming statistics of environmental degradation. Among these streams are inorganic, non-recyclable items like takeaway boxes and sauce jars While many presume these have reached end-of-life at this stage, they actually have a lot of value to offer — especially for university campuses looking to boost their sustainability credentials, curb costs, and improve health and safety on-site.
This issue escalates at the end of each semester too, as students engage in mass clear-outs before heading home for the holidays or the end of the academic year. But it is in these heaps of discarded items, like food-tainted kitchenware from friendly gatherings, that the treasure trove lies hidden, waiting to be unveiled and repurposed for the benefit of both the planet and the community.
How are solid waste streams containing organic material converted into SRF?
Through a combination of site visits, inherent knowledge, and software design, our iterative process ensures a university’s XO system is tailored to its exact requirements. The complexity of the assessment process is dependent on the complexity of a campus’ operations. And, because our ethos is always to be transparent, we’ll always suggest alternative methods of disposal to help minimize carbon footprint if a waste stream isn’t suitable for our technology.
Once the bespoke system is in place, this is where the magic begins. What’s more, our unique systems can handle mixed waste, even the ones contaminated with organic materials. Whatever the input, the machine shreds the waste into small, consistent pieces, before heating it up to activate our blend of bacteria and biostimulants. Ensuring particle sizes are consistent is key for maximizing surface area, promoting uniform organic digestion, and expediting the rapid composting process.
This not only maximizes the waste reduction, but also keeps our system strong and running smoothly without the need for human interaction. The strong and robust biomass is maintained by adding new waste containing organic fraction, and allows for the system to cope with any harmful elements within the waste stream.
As the material progresses through the chambers within the XO unit, it transforms from wet trash to a dry and clean fluffy material called floc. With a moisture content of less than 15% and an increased calorific value, the floc can be used directly as an SRF or processed further to get even more utility out of it.
How does SRF benefit university campuses?
Sustainability shouldn’t be a mere buzzword. It should be a way of life on university campuses, where waste is an inevitable byproduct of academic pursuits.
By unlocking the hidden treasure within trash, SRF proves to be more than just a byproduct; it serves as a versatile resource with a wide range of applications. And universities, as centers of innovation and change, can lead the way in harnessing its potential.
Here are some key areas where SRF can be effectively utilized:
- Significant cost savings
Waste processing can be incredibly costly, requiring expensive infrastructure, financial outlay and trained workforces. That’s why many universities and colleges stick to the traditional methods of landfill disposal — which is incredibly damaging for the environment.
Advetec’s rapid composters reduce the waste mass by 50%, producing a clean and dry material free from organic matter that is easy to handle and transport. As the organics are removed and the material is stabilized, it tends to be disposed of at a lower gate price at landfill or incinerator due to lack of organic contamination. Its combustion at a higher temperature enhances energy production efficiency too, contributing to a more sustainable and resource-efficient waste disposal solution.
On average, organizations such as universities can realize up to 40% reductions in cost based on hauling and pickups alone. - Reduced environmental impact
Unlike traditional infrastructure, Advetec’s technology overcomes technical and economic challenges, making it feasible for companies to adopt eco-friendly practices on-site and improve their operations. Reducing the environmental impact of the waste and extracting value hidden within it is the key to the future, slowly closing the loop to a more circular economy.
By minimizing the amount of waste disposed of by 50% and removing organic fraction from it, you reduce not only the physical footprint of waste but also the greenhouse gas emissions associated with it. If floc is sent to landfill, for example, it’s eco-friendly because it remains inert, avoiding further decomposition. This non-breakdown characteristic mitigates methane emissions, aligning with the global zero methane pledge and enhancing environmental sustainability — a crucial consideration for universities and colleges committed to reducing their ecological footprint
As the waste is dried, you’ll be able to further segregate it to support the circular economy.
In the UK and EU, SRF can be used as an alternative fuel to gas or coal. Advetec is therefore working on creating an alternative offtake route for their clients in America, in a similar way.
During the transformation process, Advetec’s technology generates floc — an inherently consistent, homogeneous, and high-quality material distinguished by its substantial calorific or thermal value. This distinctive calorific content positions SRF as an ideal alternative to coal, particularly for powering cement kilns and the pre-calciner stage in cement production — reducing fossil fuel dependency and the concentration of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. - Circular economy initiatives
Incorporating SRF into the circular economy framework fosters a closed-loop system where waste is minimized, and resources are maximized. Universities can set an example by promoting sustainable consumption practices that recognise and increase the value of its waste, moving non-recyclable items up the thermal hierarchy.
We’re a long way off achieving a 100% circular economy as a nation. However, by realizing the alternative disposal routes available with non-recyclable waste streams, and avoiding the unnecessary incineration or burying its potential underground. In the future, when more recycling infrastructure will exist, technologies like Advetec XO will allow waste to go full circle — segregating the dry output into recyclates and organics. In the meantime, as we wait for the infrastructure to be built, we can still extract the most value possible out of the SRF as a resource.
Some of the Advetec’s customers use XO systems to transform their food waste into compost. If purely organic waste streams are inputted into the machine — for example, food waste — universities have the option to compost their organic waste and use it in their gardens in the same week. Because this is processed in-vessel, it prevents the attraction of unwanted vermin, eradicates potent smells, and produces a nutrient-rich resource with multiple benefits. Taking 48-72 hours instead of 12-16 weeks, it makes for a much more efficient process too.
The fertilizer can be spread on campus grounds, which not only helps to improve the site’s appearance and helps to grow produce for canteens, but also sequesters carbon back into the soil to help offset emissions. - Student and stakeholder engagement
Student and stakeholder engagement is a powerful catalyst for change. By recognizing the potential of SRF and implementing it in these diverse applications, universities not only enhance their environmental stewardship but also inspire future generations to embrace sustainable practices, fostering a campus culture rooted in eco-consciousness and creating a lasting impact on both local communities and the wider world. With this a pressing shift in perspective, emphasizing a growing understanding of how much wealth is hidden in campus waste, universities can redirect focus onto treating trash as a valuable resource for the benefit of people and the planet.
In a world where waste not, want not is a mantra worth living by, the journey from discarded items to valuable resources is a transformation worth celebrating.