The impact of municipal solid waste treatment methods on greenhouse gas emissions in Lahore, Pakistan

The contribution of existing municipal solid waste management to emission of greenhouse gases and file alternative scenarios to reduce emissions were analyzed for Data Ganj Bukhsh Town (DGBT) in Lahore. Pakistan using file life cycle assessment methodology. DGBT has a population of 1,624.169 people living ill 232,024 dwellings. Total waste generated is 500,000 tons per),car with in average per capita rate of 0.84 kg per day. Alternative scenarios were developed and evaluated according to the environmental, economic. and social atmosphere of file study area. Solid waste management options considered include the collection and transportation of waste. collection of recyclables with single and mixed material bank container systems (SMBCS, MMBCS). material recovery facilities (MRF). composting, biogasification and landfilling. A life cycle inventory (LCI) of the six scenarios along with file baseline scenario was completed; this helped to quantify the CO2 equivalents, emitted and avoided, for energy consumption. production. fuel consumption and methane (CH4) emissions. LCI results showed that file contribution of the baseline scenario to the global warming potential as CO2 equivalents Was a maximum of 838,116 toils. The sixth scenario had a maximum reduction of GHG emissions in terms of CO2 equivalents of -33,773 tons, but the most workable scenario for file current situation ill file study area is scenario 5. It saves 25% ill CO2 equivalents compared to the baseline scenario. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.