Collaborative Approaches to Curbing Waste Emissions with Sustainable Solid Waste Management

As the manufacture, distribution, and ultimate use of waste materials is directly linked to increased greenhouse gas emissions, the industry of solid waste management plays a crucial and important role in climate action by shifting to more sustainable ways of dealing with waste.

Although it has a lot of potential, solid waste management is not typically touted as a solution to climate change because the long-term decomposition of waste releases significant amounts of methane. Fortunately, there are several existing and readily-available waste-handling technologies, such as retrofitting landfills and digesting or composting organic waste, which can mitigate solid waste emissions on a large scale. Effective solid waste management practices and technologies can reduce emissions and support a community’s broader sustainability goals. Since many solid waste facilities are utilized by multiple jurisdictions, the impact of decreasing emissions from the solid waste sector can be felt on a near-regional level.

To help measure the climate benefits of waste reduction, the USEPA conducted a comprehensive study¹ of the link between greenhouse gas emissions and waste management. The study analyzed the management options of waste prevention, recycling, composting, waste-to-energy (incineration), and landfilling. The research indicates that, in terms of specific climate benefits, waste prevention is generally the best option. Recycling and composting are the next best approach, followed by waste-to-energy, then disposal in a landfill.

• Waste Prevention: Encouraging residents and businesses to reduce waste at the source can significantly reduce the volume of waste that needs to be managed. Implementing robust recycling programs helps divert materials from disposal, reducing the environmental footprint of waste management.
• Composting: Organics management is important to local solid waste management. Many areas are embracing food scraps recovery programs that utilize composting facilities to transform the scraps into valuable products for local agriculture and landscaping.
• Waste-to-Energy: Waste-to-energy technologies convert non-recyclable waste materials into usable heat, electricity, or fuel. This provides a renewable energy source and reduces landfill volume, which can help alleviate capacity issues in the future.

Municipalities can ease some of the burden of managing waste, as well as meet their climate goals, by adopting these strategies and leveraging available funding programs that support sustainable materials management. As with many projects, community engagement is an essential piece of the puzzle. Educating residents about the importance of waste reduction, recycling, and composting can lead to greater community participation and success of waste management programs. This can also come in the form of public-private partnerships, which bring in additional expertise and resources, enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of municipal waste management efforts.

Effective waste management is essential for reducing environmental impact and plays a crucial role in achieving broader sustainability goals. For more information on our solid waste services, contact Luann Meyer.

References:
1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. (2009, September). Opportunities to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions through Materials and Land Management Practices. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ghg-land-materials-management.pdf