Implications of municipal solid waste management on greenhouse gas emissions in Malaysia and the way forward

The studies on municipal solid waste (MSW) management in Pakistan and its impacts on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are glaringly missing. Therefore, this study examines the effect of MSW management on GHG emissions in Pakistan and suggests the best suitable strategies for alleviating GHG emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2006 waste model (WM) was used to create inventory of GHG emissions from landfilling. The solid waste management GHG (SWM-GHG) calculator and strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threat (SWOT) analyses were used as strategic planning tools to reduce GHG emissions by improving MSW management in Pakistan. The IPCC 2006 WM estimated 14,987,113 metric tonnes (Mt) carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-eq) of GHG emissions in 2016. The SWM-GHG calculator, on the other hand, estimated 23,319,370 Mt CO2-eq of GHG emissions from management of 30,764,000 Mt of MSW in 2016, which included 8% recycling, 2% composting, and 90% disposal in open dumps. To reduce GHG emissions, two strategies including recycling-focused and incineration-focused were analysed. The recycling approach can reduce more GHG emissions than incineration, as it can reduce 36% of GHG emissions (as compared to GHG emission in 2016) by recycling 23% of MSW, anaerobically digesting 10% of MSW, and disposing of 67% of MSW in sanitary landfills (with energy recovery). Moreover, the SWOT analysis suggested integration of the informal sector, adoption of anaerobic digestion and formulation of explicit MSW regulations for improving the current management of MSW which will also result in lower GHG emissions.

Technological advancements, environmental regulations, and emphasis on resource conservation and recovery have greatly reduced the environmental impacts of municipal solid waste (MSW) management, including emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). This study was conducted using a life-cycle methodology to track changes in GHG emissions during the past 25 years from the management of MSW in the United States. For the baseline year of 1974, MSW management consisted of limited recycling, combustion without energy recovery, and landfilling without gas collection or control. This was compared with data for 1980, 1990, and 1997, accounting for changes in MSW quantity, composition, management practices, and technology. Over time, the United States has moved toward increased recycling, composting, combustion (with energy recovery) and landfilling with gas recovery, control, and utilization. These changes were accounted for with historical data on MSW composition, quantities, management practices, and technological changes. Included in the analysis were the benefits of materials recycling and energy recovery to the extent that these displace virgin raw materials and fossil fuel electricity production, respectively. Carbon sinks associated with MSW management also were addressed. The results indicate that the MSW management actions taken by U.S. communities have significantly reduced potential GHG emissions despite an almost 2-fold increase in waste generation. GHG emissions from MSW management were estimated to be 36 million metric tons carbon equivalents (MMTCE) in 1974 and 8 MMTCE in 1997. If MSW were being managed today as it was in 1974, GHG emissions would be ~60 MMTCE.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management has an impact on climate generating greenhouse gases (GHG). To quantify GHG emission from MSW management activities (transportation, composting, recycling and landfill), this study was conducted in the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC). Data were collected about detail MSW management activities of the CCC through conducting a structured questionnaire survey on related personnel with MSW management. To collect data about recycling, another questionnaire survey was conducted on all junkshops near to both dumping sites (Anandabazar and Arefin Nogor) of the CCC. The study found that, composting and recycling of MSW have a positive contribution in reducing GHG emission. Transportation and land-filling of MSW have a contribution in GHG emission. The amount of GHG emission from the existing MSW management system of the CCC is 31,904.68 tons of CO2-eq per month. The life cycle assessment (LCA) study on composting shows that, the reduction of GHG emission is 3.66 tons of CO2-eq per ton of produced compost. The study finding is expected to contribute to the field of climate change mitigation in Bangladesh.
 The Chittagong Univ. J. Sci. 40(1) : 21-46, 2018

A necessidade de um maior número de alternativas energéticas limpas somadas à problemática da coleta e disposição final dos Resíduos Sólidos Urbanos (RSU) dos grandes centros urbanos, mostra a importância da gestão destes resíduos. Neste contexto, é fundamental o aproveitamento dos gases gerados no aterramento desses resíduos. No presente trabalho é realizada uma estimativa para a produção de biogás bem como a análise da viabilidade econômica da utilização do mesmo biogás gerado em um aterro e um patio de compostagem dimensionados para a cidade de Campinas – SP, entre os anos 2018 e 2038. Para a análise das emissões provenientes dos Gases de Efeito Estufa (GEE) utilizou-se o modelo de emissões de gás de aterro sanitário, em inglês Landfill Gas Emissions Model (LandGEM), e o modelo de redução de resíduos, em inglês Waste Reduction Model (WARM). No WARM foram analisados três cenários, sendo que o cenário C3 apresentou a maior redução de emissões de GEE e foi a segunda melhor opção para o consumo energético. O LandGEM possibilitou uma estimativa na produção de metano (CH4), de dióxido de carbono (CO2) e outros gases. A quantidade de biogás gerada para os anos 20 anos de produção foi de 934,872,000 m3, correspondendo à vida útil do aterro. O estudo de viabilidade econômica para uma potência instalada de 4MW e considerando diferentes cenários com o preço do dólar variando entre R$2.80 a R$$5.80, mostrou que a execução do projeto é rentável. Com relação às vantagens ambientais estão a redução nas emissões de GEE e a contribuição direta para uma efetiva gestão dos resíduos sólidos em grandes centros urbanos.

PurposeThe Gulf Cooperation Council member countries not only generate the highest quantity of municipal solid waste (MSW) per capita when compared globally, but also in most of these countries, such waste is just dumped at different landfill stations. In Oman, the total quantity of MSW stood at 2.0 million tons per year. The emission from this waste is estimated at 2,181,034 tons/year (carbon dioxide equivalent). This article attempts to develop frameworks that considered landfilling, composting and recycling of MSW.Design/methodology/approachTo know the composition of the municipal solid waste in Oman, a quantitative research method was employed. The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from MSWM in this study focus on three major gases, CO2, CH4 and N2O. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2006 model is used to calculate GHG emissions from landfills and composting (IPCC, 2006). Four frameworks – baseline F0, framework F1, framework F2 and framework F3 – are outlined in this paper. The F0 represents the current situation of the MSW in which most of the waste goes to landfills and dumpsites. In F1, improved MSW collection service and landfilling are incorporated and open burning is restricted. The F2 considered landfilling and composting, while F3 is based on landfilling, composting and recycling.FindingsThe framework F2, which proposes the composting process for the organic waste which normally goes to landfills, results in the reduction of emissions by 40% as compared to landfill practice. Similarly, the samples of MSW collected in Oman show a good amount of recycling waste. The framework F3, which considers the landfill, composting and recycling, reduced the total GHG emissions from 2,181,034 tons/year to 1,427,998 tons/year (carbon dioxide equivalent), representing a total reduction of 35% in emissions.Research limitations/implicationsDifferent values such as CH4 correction factor, the fraction of degradable organic carbon and the fraction of DOC used to determine the GHG emissions from MSW considering landfilling, composting and recycling based on the IPPC model and existing literature review. The actual determination of these values based on the Oman conditions may result in more accurate emissions from MSW in Oman.Practical implicationsDifferent frameworks suggested in this research have different practical implications; however, the final framework F3, which produces fewer emissions, required a material recovery facility to recycle the MSW in Oman. For framework F3, it is important that the residents in Oman have enough knowledge and willingness to do the waste segregation at the household level. Apparently, such knowledge and willingness need to be determined through a separate study.Originality/valueThe frameworks F2 and F3 are considered to be more suitable solutions compared to the current practices for Oman and other gulf countries to reduce its per capita emissions from MSW and protect its local environment. There is a potential for further work that needs to explore the possible solutions to implement the suggested frameworks.

Currently, Russia is going through a global transformation in the field of waste management, which is mainly caused by the exhaustion of the capacities of existing landfills. The country’s goal is to reduce landfill and ensure 36 % recycling of all municipal solid waste (MSW) by 2024. Meanwhile, the discussion about the choice of disposal methods continues. We propose to look at the choice of the optimal MSW management strategy at the regional level through the prism of its total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this regard, the purpose of the article is to determine the total carbon footprint of the regional MSW management system in order to consider the “contribution” of each of the methods of waste management and make the considered criterion suitable for assessing the sustainability of the whole regional waste management system under various scenarios of its development. To achieve this goal, the methodology of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was used to assess the current situation in the field of MSW management in the Sverdlovsk region. Further, the study developed the conditions for three industry development scenarios (basic, inertial, innovative); substantiated the factors of direct and prevented GHG emissions; calculated GHG emissions from the MSW management sector in the Sverdlovsk region for 2023-2030 for each of the three scenarios. The calculations showed that, by 2030, the basic scenario (“as is”, business-as-usual) has the maximum carbon footprint of 1558.5 thousand tonnes of CO2-eq. The innovative scenario has minimum net emissions of 82.6 thousand tonnes of CO2-eq. by creating a full-fledged separate waste collection and recycling more waste. The findings can be useful in the formation of regional strategies for waste management, considering GHG emissions.

A study was conducted in the Moses Kotane Municipality (MKM) in the North-West Province of South Africa in order to identify and quantify factors that affect efficiency in the management of municipal solid waste generated by households and businesses. Data was collected from a combination of 171 households and businesses on 24 socioeconomic, sanitary and environmental indicators of efficiency in the management of municipal solid waste in developing municipalities. The specific objectives of study were to assess the current level of efficiency in the collection and disposal of municipal solid waste, and to construct a framework that could be used for improving the current level of efficiency in the management of municipal solid waste. Efficiency in the management of municipal solid waste was assessed by using ISO 14000 and ISO 14031 standards defined by the Canadian Standards Association. The results showed that about 67% of businesses selected for the study were inefficient in municipal solid waste management, whereas about 33% of them were efficient. Efficiency in the management of municipal solid waste was significantly influenced by 3 predictor variables (lack of adherence to municipal bylaws on waste management, inability to enforce municipal bylaws on municipal solid waste management, and wrong perception on the potential benefits of proper waste management. 

The need of an integrated municipal solid waste (MSW) management system to maximize resource recovery and simultaneously reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions is rising in Oman. Therefore, three waste management scenarios are proposed and assessed in this study based on their potential to reduce waste and GHG emissions, and recover energy and recyclables in Oman from 2020 to 2040. The first scenario included recycling, anaerobic digestion (AD), and landfill disposal; while second scenario entailed recycling, incineration, and ash disposal. The third scenario involved incineration and AD plants, and landfilling of residues. The analysis indicated that the disposal of waste in scenario 2 will be the lowest during the entire study period (30–24%), followed by scenario 3 (32–41%) and scenario 1 (94–58%). Moreover, during the assessment period, scenario 3 will generate a total of 47 TWh electricity, higher than scenario 2 (29 TWh) and scenario 1 (4.7 TWh). Disposal of MSW is estimated to produce 309,803 GgCO2e from 2020 to 2040; however, these emissions can be reduced by 53, 94 and 90% by the implementation of scenarios 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Furthermore, the average global warming factors after energy and material recovery further indicate that scenario 2 and scenario 3 result in net GHG emission savings of − 0.4 and – 0.28 GgCO2e/Gg of MSW, except for scenario 1 which will produce 2.37 GgCO2e/Gg of MSW. The analysis showed that in terms of reducing waste disposal and GHG emissions, scenario 2 is the best performing option; however, scenario 3 has the highest energy output.

ABSTRACTClimate change is a consequence of greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the waste sector contribute to 3% of total anthropogenic emissions. In this study, applicable solutions for municipal solid waste (MSW) management in Luangprabang (LPB) and Laos were examined. Material flow analysis of MSW was performed to estimate the amount of MSW generated in 2015. Approximately 29,419 tonnes of MSW is estimated for 2015. Unmanaged landfilling was the main disposal method, while MSW open burning was also practiced to some extent. The International Panel on Climate Change 2006 model and the Atmospheric Brown Clouds Emission Inventory Manual were used to estimate GHG emissions from existing MSW management, and total emissions are 33,889 tonnes/year carbon dioxide-equivalents (CO2-eq). Three scenarios were developed in order to reduce GHG emissions and environmental problems. Improvement of the MSW management by expanding MSW collection services, introducing composting and recycling, and avoiding open burning, can be considered as solutions to overcome the problems for LPB. The lowest GHG emissions are achieved in the scenario where composting and recycling are proposed, with the total GHG emissions reduction by 18,264 tonnes/year CO2-eq.

Life cycle assessment of municipal solid waste management with regard to greenhouse gas emissions: Case study of Tianjin, China

The Indonesian government has established a 30% reduction by 2030 target for reducing GHG emissions, through the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) approach. In the City of Bandung, various institutions are involved in waste handling and reduction. The objectives of this study were to determine the GHG emissions, resulting from household waste disposal at Sarimukti Landfill, without (scenario 1) and with (scenario 2) the utilisation of Waste Banks, 3R Waste Treatment Facility (TPS 3R), and an incinerator in a TPS 3R, at Ciwastra Market, as well as to estimate the GHG emissions, once Bandung City successfully achieves its waste reduction and waste management target in 2025, as stated in the Bandung Mayor Regulation No. 1426 of 2018, leveraging all existing facilities with the landfilling (scenario 3) and incineration (scenario 4) method. The calculations made were aligned with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2019 Guidelines Tier 1. The findings of this study revealed that, in the first scenario, the GHG emissions amount to 185,271.934 tons of CO2eq. In the second scenario, the emissions amount to 150,423.096 tons of CO2eq. Consequently, the reduction in GHG emissions achieved is 34,848.847 tons CO2eq. In the third scenario, the emissions are 64,373.560 tons of CO2eq, while in the fourth scenario, GHG emissions are 70,001.973 tons of CO2eq. These findings highlight the substantial GHG emission reductions achievable through the implementation of waste management strategies. By adopting these approaches, it is possible to mitigate the environmental impact of waste disposal and contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions, well in tandem with the climate change mitigation goals.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) collection and disposal is a major problem of urban environment in the world today. MSW management solutions have to be technologically feasible, legally and socially acceptable and environmentally and financially sustainable. European policy is pushing to a rational management of natural resources; a promising technological perspective today is waste valorization, a process that becomes possible through sorting at the source, combined with material recycling and waste-to-energy methods. On the other hand, technologies like mechanical sorting, or disposal of MSW in landfills do not really improve MSW management efficiency. Landfills should become the ultimate disposal site of a few inert residuals from MSW valorization. Despite all this, conventional landfills for disposal of mixed MSW are still being constructed, with landfill site selection being a major social problem due to the lack of public acceptance; objectivity in landfill site selection is therefore extremely important. In Greece, we find several examples of inefficient MSW management and curious landfill site selection. In this paper, we criticize environmental policy issues for MSW management in Greece and identify weak points in the criteria used for the selection of landfill sites. We conclude that there is a real need for rational MSW management based on high quality scientific input.

Reduction potential of GHG emissions from municipal solid waste incineration for power generation in Beijing

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management systems play a crucial role in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in China. Although the government has implemented many policies to improve the MSW management system, the impact of these improvements on city-level GHG emission reduction remains largely unexplored. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of both direct and downstream GHG emissions from the MSW sector, encompassing sanitary landfill, dump, incineration, and biological treatment, across 352 Chinese cities from 2001 to 2021 by adopting inventory methods recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The results reveal that (1) GHG emissions from the MSW sector in China peaked at 70.6 Tg of CO2 equiv in 2018, followed by a significant decline to 47.6 Tg of CO2 equiv in 2021, (2) cities with the highest GHG emission reduction benefits in the MSW sector were historical emission hotspots over the past 2 decades, and (3) with the potential achievement of zero-landfilling policy by 2030, an additional reduction of 203.7 Tg of CO2 equiv is projected, with the emission reduction focus toward cities in South China (21.9%), Northeast China (17.8%), and Southwest China (17.3%). This study highlights that, even without explicit emission reduction targets for the MSW sector, the improvements of this sector have significantly reduced GHG emissions in China.

Simultaneous achievement of energy recovery and carbon sequestration through municipal solid waste management: A review