Framework for Auditing of Municipal Solid Waste Management …
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3 Motivation for This Work
SWM is basically a combination of steps of strategic initiation, planning, execution,
monitoring, and control. SWM system can not be successfully implemented without
a control mechanism. In an integrated sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Processing
and Disposal (ISMSPD) system, a synergic relationship should be established among
the various components of the system.
4 Justification of Auditing of SWM System
Municipal solid waste (MSW) contains large variety of organic materials like paper,
agricultural and vegetable waste, cardboard, food waste, leaves, wood, leather products, plastic, etc., (wet waste) and inorganic and inert materials including metals (dry
waste) and electrical and electronic waste, etc. MSW is a source of energy because
it contains biomass and non-biomass combustible materials. The US EPA has listed
MSW as a renewable energy source.
MSW also has the potential to pollute all the vital components of living environment (i.e., air, land, and water) at local and global levels. MSW represents a
threat to the environment and human health if not handled or disposed of properly.
Organic matter of MSW decomposes by the actions of various microorganisms under
anaerobic conditions producing biogas, popularly known as land fill gas (LFG) and
a liquid called leachate, when it is land filled, both of which have serious effects
on environment. LFG contains roughly 50–60% methane (CH 4 ) and 40–50% carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), with less than 1% non-methane organic compounds, and trace
amounts of inorganic compounds [Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP)].
One metric ton of MSW when land filled, it produces approximately 62 cum CH 4 via
the anaerobic decomposition of the bio-degradable part of the waste. This amount of
CH 4 has more than twice the global warming potential than the 1 metric ton of CO 2 ,
which would have been produced by combustion (Waste to Energy Research and
Technology Council 2012). Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and is over 20 times
more potent than CO 2, so is a key contributor to global climate change. Greenhouse
gas emission is contributing to global warming. As per the Fifth Assessment Report
(2014) of Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change (IPCC), landfills was responsible for almost half of the methane emissions attributed to the municipal waste sector
in [Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change (IPCC), Fifth Assessment Report
(2014)]. Climate change due to global warming is causing greatest environmental
challenge facing the world today. Rising global temperature is bringing change in
weather patterns, rising sea levels, and increased frequency and intensity of extreme
weather. Climate change may also threaten key natural resources, affecting water, and
food security (EPA Audit Report 2010). GHG emissions from MSW are estimated
to account for almost 24% of total global greenhouse gas emissions (Easterling et al.
2007).
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3 Motivation for This Work
SWM is basically a combination of steps of strategic initiation, planning, execution,
monitoring, and control. SWM system can not be successfully implemented without
a control mechanism. In an integrated sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Processing
and Disposal (ISMSPD) system, a synergic relationship should be established among
the various components of the system.
4 Justification of Auditing of SWM System
Municipal solid waste (MSW) contains large variety of organic materials like paper,
agricultural and vegetable waste, cardboard, food waste, leaves, wood, leather products, plastic, etc., (wet waste) and inorganic and inert materials including metals (dry
waste) and electrical and electronic waste, etc. MSW is a source of energy because
it contains biomass and non-biomass combustible materials. The US EPA has listed
MSW as a renewable energy source.
MSW also has the potential to pollute all the vital components of living environment (i.e., air, land, and water) at local and global levels. MSW represents a
threat to the environment and human health if not handled or disposed of properly.
Organic matter of MSW decomposes by the actions of various microorganisms under
anaerobic conditions producing biogas, popularly known as land fill gas (LFG) and
a liquid called leachate, when it is land filled, both of which have serious effects
on environment. LFG contains roughly 50–60% methane (CH 4 ) and 40–50% carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), with less than 1% non-methane organic compounds, and trace
amounts of inorganic compounds [Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP)].
One metric ton of MSW when land filled, it produces approximately 62 cum CH 4 via
the anaerobic decomposition of the bio-degradable part of the waste. This amount of
CH 4 has more than twice the global warming potential than the 1 metric ton of CO 2 ,
which would have been produced by combustion (Waste to Energy Research and
Technology Council 2012). Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and is over 20 times
more potent than CO 2, so is a key contributor to global climate change. Greenhouse
gas emission is contributing to global warming. As per the Fifth Assessment Report
(2014) of Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change (IPCC), landfills was responsible for almost half of the methane emissions attributed to the municipal waste sector
in [Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change (IPCC), Fifth Assessment Report
(2014)]. Climate change due to global warming is causing greatest environmental
challenge facing the world today. Rising global temperature is bringing change in
weather patterns, rising sea levels, and increased frequency and intensity of extreme
weather. Climate change may also threaten key natural resources, affecting water, and
food security (EPA Audit Report 2010). GHG emissions from MSW are estimated
to account for almost 24% of total global greenhouse gas emissions (Easterling et al.
2007).