applied to a facility in Lucas county OH. Total municipal solid waste generated was
calculated. Emissions were estimated and recycling opportunities were studied at the
facility.
This study revealed that the estimation of emissions from waste and recycling can
be done to an acceptable level by applying the recommended model. The application of
the model to the facility in Lucas County (OH) predicted that if all the recyclables that
are generated at the facility can be captured and recycled, the emissions from waste can
be compensated and in most cases the reduction in emissions would exceed the emissions
generated at the facility from waste. Revenue generated from the recycling makes the
model more attractive because, the decision makers at the facility can really understand
the financial benefits of recycling. The case study of a facility discussed in Chapter 4
reveals that waste management, which is presently a liability to the facility, can be a
source of revenue by recycling solid waste. The results shows that just by recycling
mixed office paper generated at the facility, roughly $1500 can be obtained annually. The
comparison between emissions under present conditions and suggested conditions helps
the facility to focus on its major sources of emissions. The results from case study also
predict that current carbon emissions from waste at the facility around 7 MTCE and that
would have gone down to -11 MTCE if all the possible solid waste had been recycled.
The major sources of emissions identified from the study are food waste and mixed office
paper. Only a little can be done to reduce emissions from food waste, where as recycling
mixed office paper can reduce emissions from 1.4 MTCE to -11.3 MTCE.
This
methodology can be applied to any facility in the United States with minor modifications
based on the materials recycled in the region.