Mohammad Ali Rasouli - School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran

This study assesses the climate impact of municipal solid waste (MSW) management through three scenarios (۲۰۰۹, ۲۰۱۹, and ۲۰۲۹), focusing on landfill emission, methane and carbon dioxide capture, and recycling strategies. Results show that methane and carbon dioxide collection in the ۲۰۰۹ scenario effectively reduced greenhouse gas emissions by capturing carbon dioxide and methane otherwise released from landfills. In the ۲۰۲۹ scenario, improvements in carbon dioxide capture methods, along with the increased recycling of plastics and metals, further minimized climate impact. Notably, the recycling of plastics contributed to a significant reduction in net emissions by decreasing reliance on new raw materials. Sensitivity analysis identified capture efficiency, the types of materials recovered, and waste composition as key factors influencing environmental outcomes. Recycling initiatives, especially for plastic waste, showed a considerable reduction in the overall climate impact compared to other strategies, highlighting the importance of targeted recycling efforts. The study underscores that advancing MSW management techniques, enhancing material recovery processes, and improving methane and carbon dioxide management can deliver considerable climate benefits, contributing to long-term sustainability goals.

global warming, municipal solid waste, life cycle assessment, climate impact