Greenhouse gas emissions of municipal solid waste in Shanghai over the past 30 years: Dependent on the dynamic waste characteristics and treatment technologies

The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from waste sector have drawn a lot of attention in the effort to achieve worldwide net-zero emissions. Current studies of GHG emissions from waste treatment are mostly calculations based on a specific spatiotemporal point or hypothetical scenario, but research on the timeline is insufficient. This study assesses and predicts the GHG emissions on the timeline as waste treatment technologies develop in Shanghai from 1991 to 2025 using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The findings demonstrate that GHG emission peaked in 2001 of 1490.48 Gg CO2-eq and reached net-zero in 2019 owing to the application of alternative technologies and waste segregation. The waste characteristics is the most sensitive parameter, emphasizing the significance of meticulously collecting local waste characteristics data. This study offers an approach for other nations or localities to use when researching the GHG emissions on the timeline of waste treatment systems.

Automated summary

This study assesses and predicts the greenhouse gas emissions on the timeline as waste treatment technologies develop in Shanghai from 1991 to 2025 using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The findings demonstrate that GHG emission has reached net-zero in 2019 owing to the application of alternative technologies and waste segregation.