Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy Consumption through Solid Waste Disposal Scenarios Using LCA, Case Study: Siri Island

Municipal solid wastes (MSWs) vary in terms of quality and quantity, especially their toxic content. The efficient and sound disposal of MSWs not only needs implementing an integrated management procedure, but also performing a conservative way to reduce the impacts on resources. In the present research, after characterization of MSW streams and consideration of disposal methods practiced in Siri Island, Iran, the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and the energy consumption through three following scenarios are calculated using life cycle assessment (LCA) 1) incineration with energy recovery and landfilling of ashes, 2) landfilling and collecting landfill gases (LFGs) with energy recovery, and 3) landfilling without LFG collection. Results show that the incineration scenario is superior to landfilling without LFG collection. However, by LFG collection and energy recovery, the related GHG emissions and energy consumption for landfilling scenario will decrease remarkably. Due to physical limitations in the studied area and considering the compulsions related to international and regional environmental conventions, the incineration scenario is recommended as a sound disposal method at Siri Island. Applying source reduction strategies for this scenario will result in 4.25% reduction in GHG emissions per 1% diverted plastics from the waste stream.