Fuel-related Emissions from the Croatian Municipal Solid Waste Collection System in 2013: Mixed Municipal Waste

Abstract

Waste removal (collection and landfilling) in the Republic of Croatia is the responsibility of the municipalities and local governments in 21 administrative units (counties). They entrust the respective economic activity to 208 private and public companies specialized in waste collection and treatment. Organised waste collection affects 99 % of the population. The mixed waste from households and enterprises is at various frequencies collected at the door (kerbside collection) and transported by truck to a landfill, or processing plant. This article aims to estimate fuel consumption and fuel-related airborne emissions from the collection of mixed municipal waste in Croatia in 2013. The input data and emission results are shown for Croatia and each Croatian county, in total, and relative to the number of inhabitants and mass of collected waste. Annual consumption of diesel for the collection of mixed waste is estimated at 10.6 million litres. At the county level, fuel consumption ranges from 87 thousand litres to 2.2 million litres, on average 504 thousand litres per county. Total emission of CO 2 is estimated at 28 000 t, which at county level ranges from 231 to 5711 t. Relative emission ranges from 3.3 to 13 kg CO 2 per capita (average 6.6 kg per capita), or 8.6-28.1 kg t −1 of municipal waste (average 17 kg CO 2 per ton of municipal waste). The average values of CO 2 emission from MSW collection that should also be the target values are 7-9 kg for mixed waste, and 8-15 kg CO 2 for separate waste streams. Apart from CO 2 emission, this research estimates emission of other, diesel combustion related compounds, such as NO x , CO, lubricant related

Alternative work arrangements: Individual, organizational and environmental outcomes

“…The CO₂ emissions (g/km) of each bus type were calculated using the relation: CO₂ emissions (g/km) = Fuel Consumption (l/100 km) × Emission Factor [ 78 ]. Here, the emission factor corresponds to the CO₂ produced per liter of diesel fuel combusted, and is established at 2680 g of CO₂ per liter [ [79] , [80] , [81] ]. This value is derived from the inherent carbon content of diesel and the understanding that the combustion of 1 g of carbon yields approximately 3.67 g of CO₂.…”