Transformation of food waste into carbon sources for wastewater treatment: synergistic benefits of pollution reduction and carbon mitigation

SHEN Guiyan; WEI Wei; XIAO Xiong; HUANG Jingjie; JIAO Xudong; DU Huanzheng; ZHANG Li; YUAN Wenyi; WANG Tao

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202604022

Volume 44 Issue 4

Apr. 2026

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Article Navigation > ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING > 2026 > 44(4): 210-218

SHEN Guiyan, WEI Wei, XIAO Xiong, HUANG Jingjie, JIAO Xudong, DU Huanzheng, ZHANG Li, YUAN Wenyi, WANG Tao. Transformation of food waste into carbon sources for wastewater treatment: synergistic benefits of pollution reduction and carbon mitigation[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(4): 210-218. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604022

Citation:

SHEN Guiyan, WEI Wei, XIAO Xiong, HUANG Jingjie, JIAO Xudong, DU Huanzheng, ZHANG Li, YUAN Wenyi, WANG Tao. Transformation of food waste into carbon sources for wastewater treatment: synergistic benefits of pollution reduction and carbon mitigation[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(4): 210-218. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604022

Citation:

SHEN Guiyan, WEI Wei, XIAO Xiong, HUANG Jingjie, JIAO Xudong, DU Huanzheng, ZHANG Li, YUAN Wenyi, WANG Tao. Transformation of food waste into carbon sources for wastewater treatment: synergistic benefits of pollution reduction and carbon mitigation[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(4): 210-218. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604022

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Transformation of food waste into carbon sources for wastewater treatment: synergistic benefits of pollution reduction and carbon mitigation

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604022

1. School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China;
2. Eco-Civilization and Circular Economy Research Center, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China;
3. Shenzhen Xiaping Environmental Park, Shenzhen 518024, China;
4. Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China;
5. Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China

Received Date: 2025-02-25
Available Online: 2026-06-06
Publish Date: 2026-04-01

Abstract

Abstract

The resource utilization of food waste contributes to reducing environmental pollution， drives the cycling of nutrients and the development of biomass energy， promotes the growth of the resource recycling industry， and achieves a win-win outcome on both the environment and the economy. This study evaluated the resource recovery performance and environmental impacts of producing carbon sources for wastewater treatment through the hydrolysis and acidification of food waste. This innovative technology was compared with two conventional alternatives： anaerobic fermentation and incineration. The results showed that among the three technologies， the resource recycling efficiency of hydrolysis for carbon source production ranked in the middle， while its environmental benefits were superior to those of incineration and anaerobic fermentation technologies. The hydrolysis process did not produce additional wastewater requiring treatment. Moreover， its greenhouse gas emissions and solid waste generation intensity were relatively low， at -40.7 kg CO₂-eq/t and 9.3%， respectively. Carbon sources derived from food waste can replace commercial alternatives， thereby reducing wastewater treatment costs and promoting synergies between pollution reduction and carbon mitigation. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the water content in food waste can significantly influence the generation of solid impurities and the energy recovery efficiency of the hydrolysis technology. In regions with high food waste generation and demand for carbon sources， hydrolysis technology is recommended to facilitate large-scale synergistic treatment of wastewater and food waste.
- food waste,
- carbon source,
- resource recycling,
- material flow analysis,
- carbon footprint assessment,
- synergy of pollution reduction and carbon mitigation

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References(35)

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