Describe the incoming material
Record source, seasonal volume, moisture, organic fraction and contaminants. Keep measured composition separate from supplier assumptions. If co-digestion is proposed, ask how the mixture changes across the year and what acceptance criteria would keep the feed within scope.
Account for every output
Anaerobic digestion produces biogas and digestate. A project comparison should specify how each is handled, including gas conditioning, liquid and solid fractions, storage and any further treatment. Do not count the same material twice as both an avoided disposal cost and a fully saleable product without explaining the basis.
Verify the outlet conditions
A potential user is not yet a defined outlet. Request the required quality, capacity, transport distance, seasonal demand and evidence of acceptance. Record where contaminants, water content or inconsistency would change the use, price or management route.
Compare complete routes
Use the same feed basis and system boundary for digestion, composting and other relevant routes. Separate technical feasibility, product acceptance and commercial assumptions. A useful decision brief identifies the assumptions that can reverse the apparent ranking and the evidence needed to resolve them.
Sources & context
Background reading checked 9 October 2026. The review questions and structures above are BGF editorial guidance; the references are not BGF project evidence or endorsements. Apply them to the relevant site, data and agreed scope.