“We want to collect more food waste to facilitate the development of technology,” he said. “In densely populated cities like Shanghai, large amounts of food waste can be put to good use in pursuit of a greener local economy.”
Separated kitchen leftovers, also known as “wet waste” in mainland China, can be turned into resources such as industrial compost, oil and methane gas.
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China beats SpaceX with world's first methane-fueled rocket launch
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Shi told the Post that Chenergy, which supplies more than 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas, or 95% of the city's total, has a huge natural gas infrastructure network that supports the development of new technologies.
“By focusing on wet waste, [in Shanghai], storage and logistics costs are manageable and the technology is commercially viable,” he added. “We are confident in producing green methanol at a cost lower than international standards.”
In March, China Gas (Town Gas), one of the largest natural gas distributors in Hong Kong and mainland China, entered into a strategic agreement with Shanergy to jointly promote the development of green energy businesses, including green methanol and hydrogen market development. signed a cooperative framework.
Shene Energy, owned by the Shanghai municipal government, produces electricity for one-third of the city's total electricity.
Shanghai, the mainland's commercial and financial hub, spearheaded a movement to scientifically treat food waste in 2011, with the aim of making better use of resources and reducing pollution.
Traditional disposal methods such as burial or incineration are less effective when wet waste is involved. The former causes secondary pollution from leachate (contaminated liquids) and methane in landfills, and burning trash releases toxins.
In July 2019, Shanghai became the first city in China to introduce a compulsory waste separation system, separating household waste into wet garbage (leftover food), dry garbage, recyclable waste, and hazardous waste. It is now mandatory to separate waste into four categories:
Shanghai's efforts to improve its approach to waste come as President Xi Jinping repeatedly urges the country to manage waste more effectively.
In March 2017, Beijing launched a plan to develop a standardized system and regulations for waste separation by 2020, with a goal for 46 major cities, including Shanghai, to recycle 35% of their waste by then. .
The third phase of the waste treatment plant being built on the Laogang site on Chengtou's east coast will be able to process 2,000 tonnes of food waste per day.
Approximately 7,000 tons of wet waste is generated every day in Shanghai.
