The Potential of Carbon Emission Footprint Reduction from Biowaste in Mixed Municipal Solid Waste-EU-27

Abstract

Waste treatment and recovery is a critical management challenge. It plays an essential role in narrowing the circular economy loop by reintegrating the products into the system when they reach the end of life. This study aims to assess the waste composition of the EU-27 and identifies the potential carbon emission footprint (CF) reduction through waste treatment transition of bio-waste in mixed municipal solid waste (MMSW). The relationship between the waste composition and socio-economic factors is evaluated by regression analysis. This is to estimate the missing data (in not well-documented countries) on the share of bio-waste in MMSW. Based on the amount of biowaste disposal to the landfill, the potential of CF can be determined when proportionally decreased by the estimated share through waste recovery. The emission reduction potential is different across the countries and waste types due to the differences in the avoided emission through treatment options (e.g. the current countries’ energy mix – the portion of renewable and non-renewable energy). A saving ranging from 35 - 75 % of CF reduction can be achieved in the EU. The results illuminate the significant contribution of bio-waste recovery as a mean for CF reduction and generation of renewable energy. Sensitivity analysis can be conducted in the future work, and the scope of assessment can be extended to cover a broader range of environmental footprints for a more comprehensive comparison.