A Comparison of the Carbon Footprint of a Pilot Scale (Wet) Anaerobic Digestion and Sanitary Landfills for Food Waste Management

ABSTRACT This study examines the carbon footprints of a traditional sanitary landfill and a pilot‐scale anaerobic digestion system used to manage food waste at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi. In order to process food waste, including typical cafeteria scraps (rice, vegetables, fruit, and meat leftovers), the study uses a single‐stage anaerobic digestion system (1.56 m 3 ). The results are compared to the process used by a landfill to transport the food scraps to a place 37.8 km distant. The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol's three scopes (Scopes 1 through 3) are used in the study to quantify emissions. According to the findings, anaerobic digestion considerably lowers carbon emissions compared to landfills, which generate 497,543.50 kg CO 2 e per ton of food waste. Emissions per ton of food waste vary from 108,797.03 to 122,984.50 kg CO 2 e, depending on the hydraulic retention time (HRT). The best HRT (30 days) has the lowest emissions and the greatest potential for energy generation (227.22 kWh over 900 days). The findings demonstrate the viability of anaerobic digestion as a sustainable waste management option that satisfies Malaysia's low‐carbon targets by recovering biogas and lowering carbon emissions by up to 78%.