According to Global Waste Management Outlook 2024, Urban Solid Waste (USW) is projected to reach 3.8 billion tons by 2050, with an annual cost of $640 billion.

This study designs a preliminary proposal based on automated and energy self-sufficient equipment for the treatment of USW and produce compost for adjacent green areas. It consists of 4 phases with emissions controlled by biofilters:

I. Above-ground steel and digital container. Its structure will feature a sloping roof, allowing for the installation of photovoltaic modules for its own electricity consumption. USW will be admitted through the front wall (the one with the lowest slope) of the structure, requiring a key number. A screen on this side of the wall will display the weight of stored USW and other parameters. There will be two identical containers, operating in parallel. A single double-surface floor will serve both containers, which will sequentially move to the adjacent container once the USW has been shredded and mixed.
II. 1st basement with controlled parameters. Thermophilic stage forced aeration and mesophilic stage.
III. 1st basement controlled with different conditions than the previous phase. Maturing and forced aeration.
IV. 2nd basement. Turning and transporting of compost to green areas.

The parallel equipment enables battery recharging and energy generation for its own consumption. Depending on the duration of each phase, excess energy could be fed into the grid.

A remote and automated system has been designed to quantify inputs and outputs supporting future development. This approach offers an economic and environmental benefits, contributes to the circular economy and reduces the carbon footprint.

Finally, the advantages for hypermarkets have been discussed, including improved purchasing planning, enhanced control and self-management of USW at district level.

Funded with Aid to First Research Projects (PAID-06-25) financed by the Vice-Rectorate for Research of the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)