Waste opportunities — Past and future climate benefits from better municipal waste management in Europe

Publication Created 29 Aug 2011 Published 29 Aug 2011
1 min read
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Using a life-cycle perspective, this report analyses the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from municipal solid waste management in the EU, plus Norway and Switzerland. Three scenarios illustrate how waste management and associated GHG emissions might develop until 2020.
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Publication Created 29 Aug 2011 Published 29 Aug 2011
1 min read
EEA Report No 3/2011
Using a life-cycle perspective, this report analyses the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from municipal solid waste management in the EU, plus Norway and Switzerland. Three scenarios illustrate how waste management and associated GHG emissions might develop until 2020.

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: 978-92-9213-221-7
: TH-AL-11-003-EN-C

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  • More details on the calculations, assumptions and data are available in this working paper

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Figures used

Net emission reductions from MSW management in the EU (excluding Cyprus) plus Norway and Switzerland in 2008 and 2020 compared to 1995 The figure illustrates the net emission reduction achieved in the period 1995-2008 (in the first column) and the net GHG emission reductions in 2020 compared to 1995 for all three scenarios (in columns two, three and four). The net emission reduction is calculated as the difference between net emissions in 1995 and net emissions in 2008 or 2020, as appropriate.
Net emissions (in kg CO2-eq) per treatment option for 1 tonne of kitchen and garden waste. Emissions cover only the waste management stage of the life cycle This figure identifies the net emission in CO2 equivalents for the treatment of 1 tonne of kitchen and garden waste for each of the 5 treatment options: landfilling, incineration, composting, home composting and anaerobic digestion. The average EU treatment mix in 2008 is also included.
Modelled GHG emissions from MSW management in the EU (excluding Cyprus) plus Norway and Switzerland - business-as-usual scenario This figure identifies the net greenhouse gas (GHG) emission from the management of municipal solid waste (MSW) from 1990 to 2020. Emissions from the waste management are split into different treatment options (recycling, incineration, landfilling and transportation) and into direct and avoided emissions.

News and articles

Europe's demand for resources reaching far beyond its borders Demand for materials is so intense that between 20 and 30 % of the resources we use in Europe are now imported. With the boom in international trade, EU consumption and production damage ecosystems and human health far beyond Europe’s borders, according to a report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA).
Big potential of cutting greenhouse gases from waste There is a big potential to cut greenhouse gases (GHGs) from municipal solid waste management, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). The report, 'Waste opportunities – Past and future climate benefits from better municipal waste management in Europe', covers the EU-27 (excluding Cyprus), Norway and Switzerland. It estimates that these countries could make GHG savings of up to 78 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) by 2020, or 1.53 % of Europe's emissions in 2008.

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