The Spatial Distribution and Potential for Energy Recovery of Urban-Rural Wastes in Guangdong Province, Southern China

Abstract

Abstract Wastes-to-energy (WTE) has been widely recognized as an effective way to save resources while minimizing environmental pollution, which has become the key issue for a sustainable society. Urban-rural wastes include all kinds of waste generated during human activities, which have a wide range from municipal solid waste (MSW) to agricultural residues and animal excrement, etc. In order to evaluate their potential for energy recovery and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation in Guangdong province, the generation, spatial distribution and energy potential of three typical waste streams (i.e. MSW, agricultural residues and animal excrement) were investigated using statistical and estimation methods. Results showed that: (1) MSW was mainly concentrated in the Pearl River Delta, but agricultural residues and animal excrement mainly distributed in the East Wing, West Wing and Mountainous Areas; (2) energy potential of studied wastes at least can reach 15.661 million tons of coal-equivalent and corresponding GHG mitigation is 41.720 million tons CO2 equivalent. The pattern of distributed utilization may be appropriate for rural wastes, such as agricultural residues and animal excrement, because recycling is difficult due to they are dispersed distribution. Results of this study may help decision-makers to evaluate the proper management of urban-rural wastes and can be a reference for other developing countries.