Waste to Energy (Bio-gas)
Converting organic and food waste into biogas, fertilizer and campus resources
Target 2030
100%
Of food waste transformed to energy (biogas and fertilizer).
Current Status (2025)
28.18%
Of food waste are completed to biogas and fertilizer.
Municipal Solid Waste Management
KMUTT provides a municipal solid waste management system by educating everyone on campus through the KMUTT Municipal Solid Waste Management Manual. The manual covers four main parts: waste segregation, waste collection, waste utilization, and the Recyclable Waste Bank.
The most important part is waste segregation. Four colored bins are provided across campus — organic waste is collected for composting, where organic matter is decomposed into fertilizer for trees and plants. In one month, KMUTT produces more than 300 kg of compost from organic waste.
Four-Colored Bin Segregation System
Green Bin
Organic waste — leaves, grass, food scraps
Yellow Bin
Recycled / reusable waste
Blue Bin
Non-recycled waste
Red Bin
Toxic / hazardous waste
Organic Waste Treatment
In 2025, KMUTT successfully managed 31.39% of its total municipal solid waste as organic waste, amounting to 184,765 kg — reflecting the university’s continuous commitment to sustainable waste management and resource recovery.
Approximately 36,000 kg of food waste is processed through KMUTT’s Waste-to-Energy initiative, where an anaerobic digester converts food waste into biogas and fertilizer within 24 hours per batch. An additional 3,984 kg of garden waste is processed at the Waste Utilizing Center, producing liquid fertilizer for campus greenery. The remaining 144,781 kg of organic waste is transferred to authorized government facilities for proper treatment due to space limitations on campus.
Annual Outputs from Organic Waste Processing
3,600
m³ Biogas / Year
12,264 kg
Solid Fertilizer / Year
18,000 L
Liquid Fertilizer / Year
KMUTT’s organic waste management framework demonstrates a proactive model for sustainability in Thai higher education — turning waste into energy and resources while advancing toward the target of achieving 100% conversion of food waste into biogas and fertilizer by 2030. As of 2025, 28.18% of food waste has been completed to biogas and fertilizer.
Food Waste Conversion Progress
28.18%
converted to biogas and fertilizer as of 2025
Anaerobic Digester at KMUTT Cafeteria
At KMUTT Cafeteria, tons of food are wasted including raw meat, vegetable peelings, bones, shells, and leftover dishes — producing approximately 300 kg of food waste per day. KMUTT established a waste utilization program to produce bio-gas using food waste from food centers and canteens across campus.
100 kg of food waste per day produces around 10 m³/day of bio-gas, used for cooking and boiling water at the canteen. The by-product — soil conditioner or fertilizer — supports trees and flowers within campus. These activities reduce around 20% of total municipal solid waste and deliver high benefits from waste-to-energy and waste-to-organic farm initiatives.
300
kg Food Waste / Day
10
m³ Bio-gas / Day
Why Anaerobic Digestion Is the Best Option
Predictable Demand & Supply
The cafeteria has consistent gas demand and waste generation. Historical data on students and staff follow similar patterns, enabling well-designed plant efficiency.
Ideal Tropical Climate
Thailand’s hot, humid tropical climate suits Mesophilic and Thermophilic bacteria to decompose organic matter and increase methane production rates.
Campus Fertilizer Loop
Soil conditioner by-products are used for trees and flowers across campus — closing the organic resource loop on site.
Living Learning Center
The plant serves as a hands-on learning center for students interested in renewable energy and waste utilization.
