A recent study suggests that a novel waste management technology known as pyrolysis could significantly enhance living conditions in rural India. Pyrolysis, a form of chemical recycling, converts organic waste such as rice straw, manure, and wood into valuable molecules by subjecting it to high temperatures in an oxygen-free chamber.
Detailed in a paper published in the Science of the Total Environment journal, researchers from the University of Glasgow in the UK highlighted how pyrolysis could simultaneously address three common rural issues: indoor air pollution from cooking with coal, unreliable access to electricity, and unsustainable farming practices.
The study, which surveyed nearly 1,200 rural households in Odisha, revealed a strong interest in transitioning from coal-based cooking to cleaner alternatives and a demand for reliable grid electricity. Additionally, around 90% of respondents expressed willingness to sell agricultural waste to support bioenergy initiatives.
Based on this feedback, the researchers proposed a community-level pyrolysis system named “BioTRIG.” This system, fueled by agricultural waste, would generate bio-oil, syngas, and biochar fertilizers. The syngas and bio-oil would power the pyrolysis system in subsequent cycles, with surplus electricity benefiting local homes and businesses.
Bio-oil, known for its clean combustion properties, could replace traditional cooking fuels, while biochar could enhance soil fertility and carbon storage. Computer simulations demonstrated that implementing the BioTRIG system could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and indoor air pollution, thereby improving public health and supporting sustainable development goals outlined by the UN.
Lead researcher Siming You emphasized the system’s potential to address multiple challenges faced by rural communities, including indoor air pollution, land degradation, and energy access issues. With the Indian government’s initiatives aligning with sustainable development goals, widespread adoption of the BioTRIG system could have a substantial positive impact on both climate and public health outcomes in India.