O. Ayalon et al., Alternative MSW treatment options to reduce global greenhouse gases emissions - the Israeli example, WASTE MAN R, 18(6), 2000, pp. 538-544
Citations number
30
Categorie Soggetti
Environment/Ecology,"Environmental Engineering & Energy
In order to comply with the Kyoto Protocol agreements, Israel has to assess
all the sources contributing to greenhouse gases (GHG) and analyze the alt
ernative options to reduce these emissions. The waste sector in Israel cont
ributes 13% of total GHG emissions for a time horizon of 100 years (for a t
ime horizon of 20 years, the waste sector contribution equals more than 25%
of total GHG emissions). Mitigation options from the waste sector, as well
as the costs associated with each alternative, show that the most cost-eff
ective means to treat the degradable organic components of waste is by aero
bic composting (investment of less than 10 US$ to reduce emission of I t of
CO2 equivalent per year).
The environmental basis for regulating landfill gas (LFG) flares should be
based on the potential damage of GHG emitted from landfills. The economic r
ational in the additional investment needed to recover energy from the LFG
will be partially covered by income from energy safes.
The ultimate goal is to minimize the amount of methane by converting it to
CO2, this can be done most effectively by incineration. But, compared with
other technologies, this is the most expensive option.
Steps taken to minimize GHG emission from the waste sector should play a si
gnificant role in the short- and medium-term. The considerations used here
apply to many other countries worldwide as well. It seems that a proper was
te management may be one of the immediate and available means to mitigate G
HG in the short- and medium-term.