Alternative MSW treatment options to reduce global greenhouse gases emissions - The Israeli example

In order to comply with the Kyoto Protocol agreements, Israel has to assess all the sources contributing to greenhouse gases (GHG) and analyze the alternative options to reduce these emissions. The waste sector in Israel contributes 13% of total GHG emissions for a time horizon of 100 years (for a time horizon of 20 years, the waste sector contribution equals more than 25% of total GHG emissions). Mitigation options from the waste sector, as well as the costs associated with each alternative, show that the most cost-effective means to treat the degradable organic components of waste is by aerobic composting (investment of less than 10 US$ to reduce emission of 1 t of CO₂ equivalent per year). The environmental basis for regulating landfill gas (LFG) flares should be based on the potential damage of GHG emitted from landfills. The economic rational in the additional investment needed to recover energy from the LFG will be partially covered by income from energy sales. The ultimate goal is to minimize the amount of methane by converting it to CO₂; this can be done most effectively by incineration. But, compared with other technologies, this is the most expensive option. Steps taken to minimize GHG emission from the waste sector should play a significant role in the short- and medium-term. The considerations used here apply to many other countries worldwide as well. It seems that a proper waste management may be one of the immediate and available means to mitigate GHG in the short- and medium-term.