Transition towards eco-efficiency in municipal solid waste management to reduce GHG emissions: The case of Brazil

Author(s)

Paes, Michel Xocaira ^{[1, 2]} ; de Medeiros, Gerson Araujo ^[1] ; Mancini, Sandro Donnini ^[1] ; Gasol, Carles ^[3] ; Pons, Joan Rieradevall ^{[4, 5, 6]} ; Durany, Xavier Gabarrell ^{[4, 5, 6]}

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ Unesp, Inst Sci & Technol, Sorocaba - Brazil

^[2] Fundacao Getulio Vargas FGV, Sao Paulo Sch Management FGV EAESP, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Inedit Innovacio SL, Parc Recerca UAB, Barcelona - Spain

^[4] Univ Autonoma Barcelona UAB, Inst Ciencia Tecnol Ambientals ICTA, Sostenipra Res Grp Sostenipra SGR 2017 1683, Campus UAB, Barcelona 08193 - Spain

^[5] Univ Autonoma Barcelona UAB, Unidad Excelencia Maria de Maeztu MDM 2015 0552, Campus UAB, Barcelona 08193 - Spain

^[6] Univ Autonoma Barcelona UAB, Dept Chem Biol Environm Engn, XRB Campus UAB, Barcelona 08193 - Spain

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION; v. 263, AUG 1 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

Developing countries, including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS), are implementing mitigation strategies for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in specific sectors, such as municipal solid wastes (MSW), to reduce the impacts of climate change. The purpose of this research was to evaluate different GHG emission mitigation scenarios in MSW management in Brazil, countrywide and at municipal level, to determine the best transition towards eco-efficiency (TEE) relative to the current scenario. Environmental (GHG emissions, using the CO2ZW tool) and economic (operating and investment costs and climate change externalities) indicators were determined and analysed per ton of MSW treated, based on field work and national data. An analysis was made of six scenarios of transitions of MSW management and treatment via wet processes (composting and mechanical biological treatment - MBT), dry routes (recycling and incineration) and disposal in sanitary landfills (DSL). The most ecoefficient scenario for Brazil and the municipalities with the largest populations, such as Sao Paulo and Sorocaba, corresponded to: 70% composting and 30% DSL for wet MSW and; 70% recycling and 30% DSL for dry MSW. In the smaller municipalities such as Humaita, Piedade and Santa Cruz do Sul, the best results in TEE were: 42% composting and 58% DSL for wet MSW and; 41% recycling and 59% DSL for dry MSW. The scenarios showing the lowest TEE performance were MBT and incineration, due to the high costs of these technologies in Brazil. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/16542-0 - Integrated management of municipal solid waste in Brazil: an analysis of institutional innovations in municipal public policies
• Grantee: Michel Xocaira Paes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral