The LoCaL project Cities Count Carbon in the waste sector (3C-Waste) will not only include direct emission from waste but address the entire waste chain including collection systems and energy production from incineration.

This was decided after a workshop last December at TNO in the Netherlands. Attendees included Climate-KIC partners (GFZ, LSCE, TNO), waste management companies (AfvalzorgNL, Berliner Stadreinigung ) and other companies with relevant expertise (CITEPA, GEODAN, OONKay). The workshop successfully identified potential development lines as well as key-issues to address before a scaled-up project could be launched.

It was shown that the potential for GHG emissions reduction in the waste sector is substantial and could significantly contribute to LoCaL’s ambitions (see figure 1). The dominant source in GHG emission from waste are landfills and while the EU directives aim towards strong reductions of landfilling, it will remain the dominant source for the coming 10-20 years.

Hence, landfilling is to be one of the main targets in a future project and the involvement of waste management companies in a future project is essential as these service providers hold the key to successful implementation. Moreover, these companies may have related interests that can help in paving the way for GHG mitigation.

(please click to enlarge the images)

Figure 1 The relative share in GHG emission by activity in the Waste sector (data from NIRs) and indicative emission reduction potential assuming a certain maximum emission per capita (here 200 CO2 eq / capita) which is already achieved in some countries.

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