The Analysis of the Economic Effects on the Greening and Recovery of the Sludge Waste Resulting from the Biogas Production Activity

• Main Authors: Constantin Aurelian Ionescu, Mihaela Denisa Coman, Elena Liliana Moiceanu Marin, Liliana Paschia, Nicoleta Luminita Gudanescu Nicolau, Gabriel Cucui, Dan Marius Coman, Sorina Geanina Stanescu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-09-01
• Series: Sustainability
• Subjects: sustainability; waste; soil enhancer; multi-criteria analysis; environmental impact; corporate social responsibility
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/18/4922

Starting from identifying an upward trend in waste disposal costs at the municipal landfill, the research aims to analyze the viability of investment to integrate a compost platform, which transforms the sludge resulting from the biogas production process into a soil improver for agricultural land. The economic entity analyzed activates agri-food and uses a biogas plant as a management tool for the waste from slaughtering chickens, to obtain biogas, heat, and electricity. The study is carried out through the multi-criteria analysis based on the following variants: The operation of the biogas plant with sludge disposal as waste (V₁), the operation with recovery of waste as soil improver (V₂), the closure of the biogas plant (V₃). The economic effects regarding the greening and capitalization of the sludge waste are quantified from a monetary point of view and based on the analysis the optimal variant, V₂, is established. It has been proven that the investment generates: Positive results increased by 70.52%, a positive and upward opportunity cost by 37.96%, and marginal profit growth of 53.17%. The study emphasizes that efficient waste management turns an environmental problem and cost into an economic and ecological advantage for the economic entities.