The climate change mitigation potential of the waste sector : illustration of the potential for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector in OECD countries and selected emerging economies : utilisation of the findings in waste technology transfer / by Regine Vogt, Cassandra Derreza-Greeven, Jürgen Giegrich (IFEU Institut Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany), Günter Dehoust, Alexandra Möck (Öko-Institut e.V. Berlin, Berlin, Germany), Cornelia Merz (Öko-Institut e.V. Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany) ; on behalf of the Federal Environment Agency (Germany) ; study performed by: ifeu-Institut für Energie- und Umweltforschung ; edited by: Section III 2.4 Waste Technology, Waste Technology Transfer Anja Schwetje, Marlene Sieck

Abstract

This study presents the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential of municipal solid waste (MSW) management in OECD countries as well as India and Egypt. Three detailed GHG balances for the USA, India, Egypt and one balance for the OECD countries are elaborated applying the life cycle assessment (LCA) method according to ISO 14040/14044 for waste management. For each balance the respective status quo is determined and compared with two scenarios to 2030. The methodology as well as the underlying data and assumptions were profoundly discussed at workshops with LCA experts and local stakeholders. A GHG calculation approach was developed, which uses harmonised emission factors to credit avoided emissions from material recycling. With regard to the status quo, the net results for the OECD countries, the USA, India and Egypt show that methane emissions from landfilling are the main contributor to the GHG burdens. Only OECD countries with little or no landfill of (organic) waste achieve a net credit (e.g. Japan). These credits are the more evident the higher recycling rates are and the more efficient energy recovery is. The findings of this study were presented in May 2014 at the environmental fair IFAT in Munich. The study’s most important conclusion is that the potential for GHG mitigation in waste management is significant. However, further incentives are necessary to support developing countries as well as some OECD and/or EU countries to develop an integrated closed-cycle waste management system. With regard to the EU, targets to promote diversion of biodegradable waste from landfill and for further development of recycling are important steps in the right direction. For emerging and developing countries the integration of the informal sector in future MSW concepts should be taken into account.