Carbon Footprint

Organic waste that accumulates in municipalities, such as cut grass or leaves, is usually delivered to composting sites. This composting process produces compost that can be used in gardens and agriculture as an organic fertilizer. A positive climate effect is achieved by substituting organic for mineral fertilizers. Since composting releases large amounts of harmful greenhouse gases (especially methane and nitrous oxide), this process can at best be described as climate-neutral.

Climate effect: ±0 tons CO₂-Equivalent

The production of heat and power with fossil fuels discharges large amounts of CO₂ and other harmful greenhouse gases, negatively affecting the climate and contributing to global warming.

Climate effect: +32,000 tons CO₂-Equivalent

If organic waste is used for the production of biocoal instead of being composted, it can then produce heat and power as a substitute for fossil coal. As with any use of biomass for energy, the only CO₂ released in the atmosphere is that which was previously absorbed through photosynthesis. The CO₂ levels stay, as in nature, balanced. Through the use of biocoal as an energy source, additional climate-damaging CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels can be avoided.

Climate effect compared status-quo:
-32,000 tons CO2-Equivalent