Integrated waste management as a climate change stabilization wedge.
Anthropogenic sources of greenhouse gas emissions are known to contribute to global increases in greenhouse gas concentrations and are widely believed to contribute to climate change. A reference carbon dioxide concentration of 383 ppm for 2007 is projected to increase to a nominal 500 ppm in less than 50 years according to business as usual models. This concentration change is equivalent to an increase of 7 billion tonnes of carbon per year (7 Gt C year(-1)). The concept of a stabilization wedge was introduced by Pacala and Socolow (Science, 305, 968-972, 2004) to break the 7 Gt C year(- 1) into more manageable 1 Gt C year(- 1) reductions that would be achievable with current technology. A total of fifteen possible 'wedges' were identified; however, an integrated municipal solid waste (MSW) management system based on the European Union's waste management hierarchy was not evaluated as a wedge. This analysis demonstrates that if the tonnage of MSW is allocated to recycling, waste to energy and landfilling in descending order in lieu of existing 'business-as-usual' practices with each option using modern technology and best practices, the system would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1 Gt C year( -1). This integrated waste management system reduces CO(2) by displacing fossil electrical generation and avoiding manufacturing energy consumption and methane emissions from landfills.
Bahor
Brian
B
Covanta Energy Corporation, Fairfield, New Jersey 07869, USA. bbahor@covantaenergy.com
Van Brunt
Michael
M
Stovall
Jeff
J
Blue
Katherine
K
D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D057231:Climate Change; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014866:Waste Products / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D014866:Waste Products; D002245:Carbon Dioxide