Enabling Sustainable Waste Logistics for Clean Energy Production: Comparative Insights from the UK and Egyptian Agro-Industrial Sectors.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 6-5-2026

Abstract

Logistics play a critical role in enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of waste management systems. This study investigates the potential of integrating electric and autonomous vehicles (EAVs) into waste transport operations to support circular and low-carbon industrial transitions. A comparative case study approach was applied to two large agro-industrial companies in the United Kingdom and Egypt, examining how electrification and automation can enhance the economic and environmental performance of waste-to-energy (WtE) systems. The first case study, Dyson Farming (UK), represents a technologically advanced circular farming model integrating anaerobic digestion, digitalisation, and precision logistics. The second case study, Beyti-Almarai a large Egyptian dairy company, utilises four organic waste streams to generate renewable energy through an on-site biogas plant. The proposed study develops a comprehensive techno-economic and environmental assessment framework to evaluate the feasibility of replacing internal combustion engine vehicles with EAVs for transporting waste from collection points to the energy generation facility. The economic analysis considers vehicle acquisition costs and lifecycle costs. Environmental evaluation measures potential reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Results indicate that adopting EAVs can reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 65%, equivalent annual costs by 11%, and cost per ton transported by around 6% compared with conventional diesel trucks. The study demonstrates that integrating advanced vehicle technologies with biogas-based waste valorisation can significantly strengthen circular economy performance and industrial decarbonisation.

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