Evaluating the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from managing municipal, construction, and demolition solid waste

Abstract

A major challenge for society is to reduce the effects of greenhouse gases (GHG), one of the causes of climate change, generated by the increase of waste released into the environment. This study sought to evaluate the results obtained from GHG emissions due to waste treatment techniques such as disposal in landfill, incineration and recycling. Different waste management scenarios were created. The methodology was used to help define the best solution for municipal solid waste (MSW) and Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW), management planning in the city of São Jose dos Campos, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The study found that landfill disposal, the most applied technique in Brazil, has many disadvantages. It was concluded that the incineration of MSW showed more favorable results in relation to CO₂ emissions and energy consumption. The benefits of incinerating MSW and recycling CDW for use as aggregates in concrete have been demonstrated.