Evaluation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Reduction Strategies Related to Waste Management by Local Government

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from community waste generation can represent a significant portion of a city, county, or region’s GHG emissions inventory. Estimating a jurisdiction’s emissions from this source can be challenging, since the waste generated by one community is sometimes exported to other communities for disposal. Current inventory protocols allow local governments to estimate waste emissions either based on the landfills they operate or based on the waste generated by the community regardless of where it is disposed. The more appropriate method for any given effort depends on the goals of the inventory and the data available. These emissions can then be reduced by reducing landfilled waste and/or by capturing landfill methane. Additional upstream GHG reductions can be attained through increased recycling, though these reductions cannot be applied toward a community’s baseline emissions. There is growing interest in developing approaches for measuring, reporting, and reducing emissions associated with materials or goods produced, consumed, and disposed within given jurisdictions, and current protocols are certain to evolve.