GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM MUNICIPAL WASTE DISPOSAL SITES AND MEASURES FOR ITS REDUCTION

Abstract

Disposal of household waste at landfills and dumps leads to greenhouse gas emissions. Usually emissions are estimated based on the IPCC methodology, which takes into account the amount and composition of household waste as well as the climate conditions of the region. However, greenhouse gas emissions are significantly influenced by the technical and operational parameters of landfills and dumps. The Ukrainian landfill gas model, which is adapted to local conditions, allows these parameters to be taken into account. The objective of this study was the estimation of greenhouse gas emissions from certain classes of landfills and dumps, taking into account their specific parameters based on the Ukrainian landfill gas model, as well as the development of measures for its reduction. For this, landfills and dumps were classified by area, which indirectly characterizes their capacity and place of location. Based on the results of the classification, it was determined that out of more than 7,000 landfills and dumps in Ukraine, about 320 are classified as large sites. These sites occupy more than a third of the total area of landfills and dumps in Ukraine and contain up to 84% of disposed household waste. Large landfills and dumps are a priority for greenhouse gas emissions study. According to the results of greenhouse gas emissions study, their total amount is estimated to be 5,833.5 thousand tСО2. These amount 32.9% less than similar estimates according to the IPCC methodology, which is explained by the higher accuracy of the Ukrainian landfill gas model and its parameters. Of the total amount of greenhouse emissions, up to 40% can potentially be reduced by the continued development of landfill gas collection systems, which actually reduced about 10% greenhouse gas emission in 2021. This potential can be increased by half and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions can potentially reach up to 60% of their total emissions from landfills and dumps. For this purpose, the rehabilitation of the landfills and dumps should be conducted along with the development of landfill gas collection systems. However, rehabilitation is a complex and expensive measure, and the rationale for its application may be the subject of further research.