Emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) and its potential for energy production

Umar, Tariq

Abstract

The adverse impact of the energy production from fossil fuels is now well recognised globally. Likewise, reduction in emissions is the key to tackle climate change issues and achieve environmental sustainability. Therefore, the move towards renewable and sustainable energy has become integral to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The purpose of this talk is to present the research work related to the composition and emissions from MSW undertaken in Oman. The presentation covers the existing disposal approaches and proposes different frameworks estimate emissions from each framework for comparison purpose. Currently, the total quantity of MSW stood at 2.0 million tonnes/year. The emission from this waste is estimated at 2,989,467 tonnes/year (CO2 Equivalent). This is the emissions from the baseline framework (F0) which include emissions from landfilling, open burning, and uncollected MSW. The framework (F1) which improve the MSW management by increasing the MSW collection and restricting open burning results an emissions of 3,187,463 tonnes/year CO2-eq. This emission is 7% more when compared to baseline framework (F0). The framework (F2) which proposes the landfilling and composting process for the organic waste which normally goes to landfills results in an increase of emissions by 7% as compared to landfill practice. Since the MSW in Oman show a good amount of recycling waste, therefore, the framework (F3) which considers the landfill, composting, and recycling reduced the total Greenhouse Gas emissions from 2,989,467 tonnes/year to 2,959,735 tonnes/year (CO2 Equivalent); representing a total reduction of 1% in emissions. The presentation also covers the idea of a 5000 t/day waste-to-energy plant and discuss its viability in terms of emissions. In Oman, the current emissions from fossil fuels to meet the electricity requirement of 71 GWh/year are 162 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2-eq.)/year. Similarly, the emissions from 2.2 Mt/year of municipal solid waste are 3.4 MtCO2-eq./year. A 5000 t/day waste-to/energy plant would not only produce 2.93 GWh daily but would also enable an annual reduction of 2.46 MtCO2-eq. Pakistan generates approximately 49.6 Mt of MSW a year which increases 2.4% annually. Several reports indicate that only 60-70% of the MWS is collected in the cites of Pakistan. Since both collected and uncollected MSW has adverse environmental impact, and that Pakistan has energy crises, therefore, a waste-to-energy plant would not only help Pakistan in improving its sustainability performance in energy, climate change, waste reduction and economic growth but will also pave the road to achieve the relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Citation

Umar, T. (2022, March). Emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) and its potential for energy production. Presented at International Conference on Energy Conservation and Efficiency (ICECE), Pakistan

• Presentation Conference Type: Keynote
• Conference Name: International Conference on Energy Conservation and Efficiency (ICECE)
• Conference Location: Pakistan
• Start Date: Mar 16, 2022
• End Date: Mar 17, 2022
• Deposit Date: Mar 17, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 17, 2022
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/9210563