SUZDEE: Sustainable Zero Waste Digestant for Well-being: Transforming Food Waste into Renewable Energy, Biofertilizer, and Community Value

SUZDEE is an integrated waste-to-resource platform developed by the School of Biomolecular Science and Engineering (BSE), VISTEC, designed to convert food waste into renewable energy and value-added biofertilizers through anaerobic digestion technology. The system supports circular bioeconomy principles by reducing organic waste disposal while generating clean energy and sustainable agricultural inputs. Since its implementation, SUZDEE has evolved beyond a waste treatment technology into a community-based innovation platform contributing to environmental sustainability, local economic development, and educational engagement across Thailand.

Key Achievements (2019–2025)

•    Implemented across 17 provinces in Thailand

•    70 operational stations deployed

•    Supporting communities, municipalities, schools, and local organizations in decentralized food waste management

•    Contributing to reductions in organic waste disposal and greenhouse gas emissions

•    Generating renewable biogas and liquid biofertilizer for agricultural applications

Social and Economic Impact

The SUZDEE platform has demonstrated measurable social returns through reduced waste management costs, lower cooking gas expenses, decreased fertilizer dependency, and increased community income generation from agricultural products. Social Return on Investment (SROI) analyses conducted in Nan province showed positive returns, indicating that investments in SUZDEE systems generate tangible environmental, social, and economic benefits for local communities. The technology has been implemented in municipalities, schools, military projects, and residential communities.

Benefits generated include:

Cost Reduction

•    Reduced municipal waste disposal costs

•    Lower expenditure on cooking gas

•    Reduced dependence on chemical fertilizers through biofertilizer utilization

Income Generation

•    Increased income from crop cultivation using biofertilizers

•    Enhanced community-level resource circulation and sustainability

Technology Overview

SUZDEE biodigester systems are designed in scalable configurations suitable for different community sizes:

SUZDEE Biodigester – Small Scale (Size S)

•    Food waste treatment capacity: 3 kg/day

•    Biofertilizer production: 3 L/day

•    Footprint: 1.5 × 1.5 m

•    Digester volume: 350 L

SUZDEE Biodigester – Medium Scale (Size M)

•    Food waste treatment capacity: 10–20 kg/day

•    Biofertilizer production: 10–20 L/day

•    Footprint: 2 × 2 m

•    Digester volume: 900 L

Supporting Thailand’s Circular Bioeconomy

SUZDEE aligns with Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy strategy by promoting:

•    Sustainable waste management

•    Renewable energy production

•    Climate change mitigation

•    Community resilience and local economic empowerment

•    Circular utilization of food waste into agricultural and energy resources

The platform demonstrates how research and innovation can be translated into practical solutions with measurable impacts at community and national levels.

Vision for the Future

SUZDEE aims to expand its implementation nationwide while integrating advanced monitoring systems, bioresource valorization, and data-driven sustainability assessment to accelerate Thailand’s transition toward a zero-waste society.

Contact Us

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanyaporn Wongnate (Team Leader)

School of Biomolecular Science and Engineering (BSE),

Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology, Rayong, Thailand

555 Moo 1 Payupnai, Wangchan, Rayong 21210 Thailand

Email: admin@biosynthai.com

Tel: +66 64-165-6997