Evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions for several municipal solid waste management strategies

Burgeoning of municipal solid waste treatment issues and concerns on climate change have drawn massive attention. The Taiwanese Government is taking a concerted effort to voluntarily reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet global warming protocols. This study evaluated the greenhouse gas emissions from five municipal solid waste treatment scenarios, including landfilling, waste to energy, and material recovery. The findings from this study indicate that a material recovery facility (8.08 × 103 to 1.52 × 104 kg CO2-eq/day) or a landfill site (4.45 × 103 to 4.45 × 104 kg CO2-eq/day) emits less greenhouse gases than a waste to energy plant (1.10 × 106 to 4.39 × 106 kg CO2-eq/day) for handling 20,000 tonne/day of municipal solid waste. The greenhouse gas emissions from a waste to energy plant are mainly carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, but can be offset by electricity generation and energy recovery. Furthermore, potential of greenhouse gas mitigation from waste recycling in a material recovery facility can be more effective than electricity generation in a waste to energy plant. This study provides valuable insights into the applicability of a policy framework for municipal solid waste management practices with regards to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.