Edison Garraway.pdf - Caribbean Environmental Health Institute

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THECARIBBEANEFFECTS ON CLIMATE CHANGEEdison Garrawayegarr@cablenett.netJune 2010

Impacts of SWM on Climate Change• Greenhouse Gas Emissions- Methane from anaerobic waste decay inlandfills(4%)- Nitrous oxide from combustion facilities(SW and fossil fuels)- CO 2 from burning fossil fuels, SW, woodand wood products• Reduction in industrial energy use and emissionsdue to source reduction and recycling• Energy recovery from waste• Carbon sequestration in forest due to decreaseddemand for virgin paper• Energy used in long distance transport of waste.after getting oxidized

Changes in Greenhouse Gas Emissions Relative to Landfilling(tonnes of CO 2 equivalent emissions per tonne of material)Waste Management OptionMaterialSource ReductionRecyclingCombustionNewspaper-2.7-2.50.0Office Paper-6.3-5.4-2.9Cardboard-3.3-3.0-0.9Aluminum Cans-12.0-15.7+0.1Steel Cans-3.4-2.3-2.0Glass-0.6-0.40.0HDPE Containers-2.5-1.5+0.8LDPE Containers-3.6-2.0+0.8PET Containers-4.0-2.5+0.9

Changes in Waste Disposal PracticesSanitaryLandfillAnaerobic wasteCarbondecay CH 4ReleaseOpenDumping-sanitation-public health-aestheticsAerobicwaste decayCarbonReleaseCO 2

AVERAGE WASTE CHARACTERISATION PROFILEGlass10%Other Waste4%Organics42%Plastic24%SpecialWaste1%C&D1%3%Metals10%Paper5%Texiles

Way ForwardMitigationAdaptationNatural Variability

• Mitigation- long-term- investments over a longer period- longer atmospheric lifetimes of GHGs- future benefits- developed country commitments• Adaptation- localized- direct community benefits- could be influenced by community efforts- targets the immediate- relative to developing countries primarily

Natural VariabilityComponentsTemperaturePrecipitationClimate Change Anomalies(deviation from the average)Annual Inter-annual25% 63%1% 74%Timescale Oscillations• El-Nino-Southern Oscillations(3-7 years)• Atlantic MultiDecadel Oscillation (decades)• Pacific Decadel Oscillation (decades)

MITIGATION- REGIONAL WASTE DIVERSION STRATEGYInformation,Education&ParticipationEconomicIncentivesBestPracticesApproach toO & MPost-consumerProduct Selection &Creation of MarketDemandsPolicyLegislation &RegulationsCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - CSRPublicSectorPrivate/IndustrySectorReduction inWaste volumes& EmissionsEconomicBenefitsi.e cost/tonnereductionImprovementIn PublicHealth &EnvironmentSustainableEmploymentprogrammes

ADAPTATIONINTEGRATED WASTE RESOURCE MANAGEMENTSolid Waste StreamBiodegradableNon-biodegradableHazardousRecyclable•Paper(canbe recycledor biologicallydegradedNon-Recyclable•Food Waste•Yard Waste &Trimmings•Textiles•Composting•Waste treatment,•Waste to energy•LandfillRecyclable•Paper•Glass•Plastic•Metals•TyresRecyclingIndustryNon-Recyclable•Inert material•Non-recyclablematerialRecyclable•Waste Oil•Batteries•MedicalWastesNon-Recyclable•PesticideContainers•FlorescentTubes•Paints etc.•MedicalWastes•Sanitary or bio-reactor Landfill(some materials can be burntin waste to energy plant)•Treatment

COMMENTS & QUESTIONS

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