Waste generation and waste management
The starting point for the estimation of greenhouse gas emissions from solid waste disposal, biological treatment and incineration and open burning of solid waste is the compilation of activity data on waste generation, composition and management.
Solid waste generation is the common basis for activity data to estimate emissions from solid waste disposal, biological treatment, and incineration and open burning of waste. Solid waste generation rates and composition vary depending on the economic situation, industrial structure, waste management regulations and life style. The availability and quality of data on solid waste generation as well as subsequent treatment also vary significantly from country to country.
Solid waste is generated from households, offices, shops, markets, restaurants, public institutions, industrial installations, water works and sewage facilities, construction and demolition sites, and agricultural activities. It is good practice to account for all types of solid waste when estimating waste-related emissions in the greenhouse gas inventory.
Solid waste management practices include: collection, recycling, solid waste disposal on land, biological and other treatments as well as incineration and open burning of waste. Recycling (material recovery) activities will affect the amounts of waste entering into other management and treatment systems.
Waste Disposal methods
Disposing of waste in a landfill involves burying the waste, and this remains a common practice in most countries. Modern landfill include methods to contain leachate such as clay or plastic lining material. Deposited waste is normally compacted to increase its density and stability, and covered to prevent attracting vermin (such as mice or rats). Many landfills also have landfill gas extraction systems installed to extract the landfill gas. Gas is pumped out of the landfill using perforated pipes and flared off or burnt...