Waste Management and the Low Carbon Economy

The “Low Carbon” economy is associated with the reduction of Greenhouse Gases – GHG emissions and is part of the strategy of most large businesses worldwide, as a way of mitigating global climate change. The expression “Carbon” is associated with all greenhouse gases, particularly Carbon Dioxide – CO2 (one of the most relevant gases) which can be simply called “Carbon” (which makes up the expression).

Waste management that considers its recovery and the use of modern technologies can generate less emissions, interfering with the Low Carbon scenario and climate change.

Waste treatment generates a large amount of greenhouse gases (GHG), especially methane (CH4), as a result of anaerobic digestion of organic matter contained in waste. The incineration of solid waste also results in carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous dioxide (N2O). According to data from the World Bank, in Brazil, waste treatment contributes to 6.1% of CH4 emissions and 3.8% of N2O emissions.

For the future, the emissions generated in the management of solid waste depend on the types of treatment to be used and the type of emissions that result from the technology used for these treatments, that is, paying more attention to processes that consider the reduction, reuse and Waste recycling contributes directly to the reduction of GHG emissions.

In the same way, the option for technologies such as composting that diverts waste from landfills and through an aerobic process (presence of oxygen) produces high quality organic compost, naturally contributes to the reduction of GHG emissions and, consequently, becomes action of a Low Carbon Economy.

How to reach a Low Carbon economy considering waste management? In part, it can be said that standards such as the National Solid Waste Policy and the New Sanitation Framework in Brazil are part of recent public actions to regulate waste management and encourage the reduction of GHG emissions, but it is possible to do more…

On the other hand, it is possible to say that the private sector has been improving its investment in technologies for better waste management, largely due to the strength of new standards, but also because it is a theme that affects stakeholders in business, such as investors and consumers.

• Ambipar Certification is a Certifier accredited by INMETRO’s CGCRE that audits and certifies companies in their waste management, considering valuation and circularity.