Modelling greenhouse gas emissions for municipal solid waste management strategies in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Human-induced climate change, through the emission of greenhouse gases, may result in a significant negative impact on Earth. Canada is one of the largest per capita emitters of greenhouse gas, generating 720 megatonnes (Mt) carbon dioxide equivalents (CO(2)e), or per capita emissions of 23.2 t CO(2)e. The solid waste sector in Canada was directly responsible for 25 Mt CO(2)e in 2001, of which 23 Mt CO(2)e were produced by landfill gas (LEG). A modelling exercise was undertaken to determine greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the waste sector using the waste disposal, recycling, and composting data from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada for the year 2003. as well as the results of an audit of residential units performed in the same year. This evaluation determined that, among the options examined, waste incineration, further source separation of recyclables. and anaerobic digestion of an organic wastes have the greatest benefits for reducing GHG emissions in the City of Ottawa's waste sector. Challenges surrounding the installation of incineration facilities in Canada suggest that improved diversion of recyclable materials and anaerobic digestion of organic materials are the optimal options for the City of Ottawa to Pursue. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.