* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download Gas emissions from waste disposal
Solar radiation management wikipedia , lookup
2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference wikipedia , lookup
Economics of climate change mitigation wikipedia , lookup
German Climate Action Plan 2050 wikipedia , lookup
Climate-friendly gardening wikipedia , lookup
Climate change feedback wikipedia , lookup
Climate change mitigation wikipedia , lookup
IPCC Fourth Assessment Report wikipedia , lookup
Politics of global warming wikipedia , lookup
Climate change in New Zealand wikipedia , lookup
Carbon governance in England wikipedia , lookup
Ministry of Environment (South Korea) wikipedia , lookup
Low-carbon economy wikipedia , lookup
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme wikipedia , lookup
Business action on climate change wikipedia , lookup
Mitigation of global warming in Australia wikipedia , lookup
CLIMATE CHANGE AND WASTE The disposal and treatment of waste can produce emissions of several greenhouse gases (GHGs), which contribute to global climate change. The most significant GHG gas produced from waste is methane. It is released during the breakdown of organic matter in landfills. Other forms of waste disposal also produce GHGs but these are mainly in the form of carbon dioxide (a less powerful GHG). Even the recycling of waste produces some emissions (although these are offset by the reduction in fossil fuels that would be required to obtain new raw materials). Waste prevention and recycling help address global climate change by decreasing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and saving energy (Environmental Protection Agency). GHG emissions and waste management Composting (an option for organic materials such as food scraps, yard waste and agricultural waste). Composting is the natural biological breakdown of organic material. During the process of aerobic composting (in the presence of oxygen), microorganisms consume the organic matter and release heat and carbon dioxide (CO2). However, most of the carbon contained in the organic matter is retained in the compost and therefore not released into the atmosphere. Composting is a waste management system that creates a recycled product that can be used in place of inorganic fertilizer. The net GHG emission is reduced because the energy intensive fertilizer production and associated GHGs are reduced. Combustion releases both carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide (around 300 time more potent a GHG than carbon dioxide, but making up only a small percentage of the total emissions). Energy released during combustion can be harnessed and used to power other processes, which results in an offset of GHG emissions from a reduction fossil fuel use. In addition combustion diverts waste from landfill, reducing the amount of methane produced. However burning garbage also produces waste in the form of ash. Most of this ash is sent to landfill but some is used to make products like building materials and road base. In developed countries, the contribution of waste sector to total greenhouse gas emissions varies between 1% and 8% Contribution of various waste management systems to greenhouse gas emissions, 2002 Regional GHG emissions from waste in 2002: North America - over 200 million tonnes European Community - over 100 million tonnes Japan, Australia and New Zealand - over 50 million tonnes Finland Norway Canada United States Estonia Denmark United Kingdom Belgium Japan Latvia Germany France Australia Portugal New Zealand In percentage 100 Incineration 50 0 Waste water handing Italy Greece Solid waste disposal Source: UNFCCC 42 43 % & ! " !#! Landfilling is the most common waste management practice, and results in the release of methane from the anaerobic decomposition of organic materials. Methane is around 20 times more potent as a GHG than carbon dioxide. If the disposal of organic matter were decreased (for example by composting or combustion) it would be possible to reduce the amount of methane emissions. However, landfill methane is also a source of energy, and some landfills capture and use it for energy. In addition, many materials in landfills do not decompose fully, and the carbon that remains is sequestered in the landfill and not released into the atmosphere. $ % ' !! Emissions due to solid waste disposal on land on ers an p per eth an eth fm go K 60 ited S Un 40 30 s tate an eth Ca K 70 K 70 60 60 50 50 ece 40 Gre 30 10 8 0 199 Source: UNFCCC 99 6 1 0 200 2 200 10 0 nce Fra 199 an eth in dK gdo m 8 99 6 1 0 200 60 ds 50 lan her et N The 30 ny 8 199 99 6 1 g Bul p per an eth 0 200 K aria 70 60 a oni Est 50 40 40 30 30 via ia tral Aus Ne ea wZ lan 20 10 8 0 p per fm go 20 2 200 on ers Lat rma Ge 10 0 y rwa 20 2 200 fm go No on ers K 70 ite Un 20 20 p per fm go 40 a nad on ers fm go 70 50 on ers p per 199 99 6 1 0 200 2 200 Jap 10 8 0 d 199 99 6 1 0 200 an 2 200