Comparing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Management Scenarios: A case of Palembang, Indonesia

Abstract

. Municipal solid waste (MSW) sector is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study examines the extent of GHG emissions from five MSW management scenarios in Palembang city, i.e. (a) BAU scenario (existing), where 850.12 tonnes of MSW is disposed in semi-aerobic landfill, 37.73% in open incinerators, 1.17% in 3R facilities, and 61.1% others; (b) Scenario 1, where the landfill is upgraded to a well-managed semi-aerobic; (c) Scenario 2, where 100% collected MSW is disposed in well-managed semi aerobic landfill; (d) Scenario 3, where 70% MSW is disposed in well-managed semi aerobic landfill and 30% is taken to 3R facilities; and (e) Scenario 4, where all collected MSW is treated in incinerators. The methodology for estimating GHG emissions used IPCC 2006 (revised 2019). The result of the analysis shows that the existing condition (BAU) has the highest GHG emissions (730,767 tonnes of CO 2 e). Scenario-4 has the lowest GHG emissions (117,954 tonnes of CO 2 e). Therefore, 3R activities are the most important success factor for reducing GHG emissions in the MSW sector. Further financial and multi-stakeholder studies are essential for a sustainable approach in reducing GHGs emission from MSW management sector.