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Evaluating emissions reductions from zero waste strategies under dynamic conditions: A case study from Boston
Joshua R Castigliego1, Adam Pollack2, Cutler J Cleveland2
1Institute for Sustainable Energy, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Earth and Environment, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Applied Economics Clinic, Arlington, MA, USA.
Waste Management (New York, N.Y.)
|March 27, 2021
Summary
Zero waste strategies reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by decreasing waste-to-energy combustion. As electricity grids decarbonize, the perceived GHG benefits of waste-to-energy diminish, necessitating dynamic, forward-looking assessments.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Climate Change Mitigation
- Waste Management
Background:
- Boston's 2018-2019 zero waste and carbon neutral planning efforts.
- Waste sector greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions analysis is complex due to indirect impacts and temporal/spatial heterogeneity.
- Lifecycle GHG analysis of waste-to-energy (WtE) combustion credits avoided emissions from biogenic carbon, a credit diminishing as grids decarbonize.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the impact of zero waste strategies on GHG emissions from waste treatment.
- To capture dynamic, forward-looking emissions impacts of waste management strategies.
- To assess the GHG mitigation potential of alternative waste management strategies in Boston.
Main Methods:
- Utilized publicly available datasets, including the EPA's Waste Reduction Model (WARM).
- Conducted a forward-looking analysis of waste sector emissions under a zero-waste scenario.
- Evaluated the reduction in combustion of plastics and biomass in WtE facilities.
Main Results:
- Zero waste strategies were shown to reduce GHG emissions by decreasing WtE combustion.
- The perceived GHG benefits of WtE diminish as electricity grids incorporate more renewable energy sources.
- Analysis highlights the dynamic nature of WtE's carbon intensity relative to a decarbonizing grid.
Conclusions:
- Forward-looking assessments are crucial for accurately evaluating GHG mitigation potential of waste management strategies.
- Policymakers need to understand the dynamic context of waste emissions, especially concerning WtE and grid decarbonization.
- Identified knowledge gaps in conducting comprehensive, future-oriented waste-GHG assessments.
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