Abstract

Organic waste plays a significant role in climate change and sustainable resource management. It decomposes in landfills, producing methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas that accelerates global warming. Despite the growing interest in organic waste management, there is a significant need for a comprehensive sustainability assessment tool to evaluate recycling techniques. Existing research often lacks clear definitions and boundaries for organic waste, and comparative analyses of different recycling methods remain limited. While many approaches emphasize environmental benefits, they frequently overlook the social and economic dimensions of sustainability. This study examines current practices in organic waste recycling techniques and explores their potential applications through a comprehensive review of existing research. Four primary recycling techniques are identified: aerobic digestion, anaerobic digestion, vermicomposting, and Black Soldier Fly (BSF). A multi-criteria analysis is conducted using a standardized set of comparison criteria, including technical performance, social impact, environmental impact, effectiveness, conversion rates, and financial feasibility. The study employs a simple Multi-Attribute Value Theory (MVAT) approach to systematically compare and analyze these factors. The analysis indicated that BSF is the most sustainable recycling technology, outperforming others in environmental impact, social impact, financial feasibility, and the effectiveness and conversion rates of recycling organic waste. Comparatively, BSF was found to be more socially accepted than the other treatment techniques. Environmental factors contributed to a greater sustainability score, along with effectiveness and conversion rates for BSF. Then, a case study was conducted on one of the biggest BSF farms in Sharqeya governorate, Egypt, to investigate how the criteria used to evaluate the BSF technology, measure the sustainability level of an existing project application, and all aspects related to strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges. Recommendations for the importance of using recycling technologies, especially the BSF technology, are provided highlighting future opportunities for investors and positive environmental impact.

School

School of Sciences and Engineering

Department

Center for Applied Research on the Environment & Sustainability

Degree Name

MS in Sustainable Development

Graduation Date

Spring 6-18-2025

Submission Date

5-25-2025

First Advisor

Fayrouz Ashour

Committee Member 1

Salah ElHaggar

Committee Member 2

Mohamed ElMorsi

Extent

122 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Not necessary for this item

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Available for download on Tuesday, May 25, 2027

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