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Recovery of bio-waste by anaerobic digestion or composting — Contribution to the transition to a Circular Economy

Sector: Waste and Water
Description

The treatment of separately collected bio-waste through anaerobic digestion1 or composting with the resulting production and utilization of biogas, biomethane, digestate, liquid fertilizer, compost or chemicals.

Scope of Assets

Construction and operation of facilities for the treatment of separately collected bio-waste through anaerobic digestion or composting:

- Anaerobic digestion facilities

- Composting facilities

The activity also includes the following processes under its scope:

- Nutrient recovery and fertilizer production

- Thermal drying to create biosolids

The activity includes procurement and installation of waste pre-treatment, recovery and post treatment equipment:

- Machinery and equipment for weighing, shredding, mixing, ventilation, screening/separators, drying/pelletizing, blending, scrubbing etc.

- Includes workers personal protective equipment

PSIC/ISIC code

38210 - Treatment and disposal of non-hazardous waste (ISIC 3821)

42900 - Construction of other civil engineering projects (ISIC 4290)

Technical Screening Criteria

Substantial contribution criteria

The activity complies with all the following criteria:

  1. The bio-waste that is used for anaerobic digestion or composting is source segregated and collected separately.
    • Where bio-waste is collected in biodegradable bags, the bags have the appropriate compostable certification standard.
  2. The activity produces one of the following:
    • Compost or digestate complying with national regulations2
    • Chemicals through the conversion of organic waste to carboxylates, carboxylic acids or polymers by fermentation with mixed cultures.
  3. For anaerobic digestion plants, the following criteria apply:
    • Source segregated bio-waste from separate collection constitutes at least 70% of the input feedstock, measured in weight, as an annual average.
    • The produced biogas is used for the following:
      1. Directly for the generation of electricity or heat
      2. Upgraded to bio-methane for use as a fuel
      3. Directly injected in the gas grid and further used for energy purposes by replacing natural gas
      4. Used as industry feedstock to produce other chemicals or converted into hydrogen for use as a fuel.
    • The digestate after anaerobic digestion should not be landfilled and is preferably composted to: (i) maximize benefits to the soil; (ii) minimize some potential agri-environmental issues such as release of ammonia and nitrates.
  4. The use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is ensured for all personnel involved in operations.
Complementary measures and practices

Any of the eligible complementary measures and practices mentioned below can be applied to support transition to circularity:

  1. The measures implemented to prevent and control potential environmental pollution, including methane leakage, dust control, odor management, noise control, water pollution prevention, litter control and fire prevention:

a. The facility applies best available techniques to ensure aerobic conditions during composting to avoid and reduce methane leakage. Examples of measures include:

i) Aeration and oxygen management;

ii) Moisture content control;

iii) Temperature monitoring and management;

iv) Feedstock management;

v) Pile design and turn frequency;

b. Measures to prevent and mitigate odor and water pollution from leachate are in place. Examples of measures include:

i) Enclosed systems or covered piles;

ii) Biofilters;

iii) Feedstock management;

iv) Leachate collection systems;

v) Runoff diversion channels;

  1. The measures to upgrade the electrical systems to accommodate the power requirements of the facility and enhance the reliability, safety, efficiency and scalability of electrical infrastructure, reducing the risk of overloads, outages and disruptions to operations.
  2. The following Internet of Things (IoT) based measures are eligible to streamline organic waste recovery operations and increase efficiency:
    • Digitized weighing platforms, stations and machines: Provide accurate and reliable weighing of input and processed organic waste, to enable tracking and inventory.
    • Centralized Monitoring System: A control room monitors real-time data from Digitized weighing machines and recovery equipment to optimize organic waste recovery operations.
    • Data Analytics: Advanced analytics can be used to identify trends, optimize resource allocation, and optimize organic waste recovery operations
    • Mobile apps to integrate the waste supply chain by linking organic waste recovery facility operators to waste producers, waste collectors and potential buyers of secondary raw materials.
  3. Additional capacity building and training programs specifically on the following topics are eligible:
    • Occupational health and safety, and use of personal protective equipment
    • Technical and management training to ensure efficient organic waste recovery and management
Exclusionary and ineligible practices
Do No Significant Harm (DNSH)
Minimum Social Safeguards (MSS)

Notes

  1. 1. Aligns with the ‘Global Methane Pledge’ to which Philippines is a signatory.
  2. 2. Key regulations in the Philippines: RA 11511 An Act Amending Republic Act No. 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act Of 2010; PNS/BAFS 183:2023 Organic Soil Amendments and Plant Supplements (OSAPS) - Product Standard —Specifications