A Study Of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Associated With Solid Waste Management Activities In Accra

ABSTRACT Background: There are considerable implications of rapid population, industrialization and urbanization on global health, food security and climate change. As global population increases, solid waste generation rates also increases. Waste management activities are as diverse as the shortlived climate pollutants (SLCPs) they generate, since at every stage of the waste management process SLCPs are released. This study assessed the contribution of urban solid waste management activities to local climate change by estimating the quantities/ amount of short-lived climate pollutants emitted using the solid waste emission estimation tool (SWEET) in order to inform local climate change and urban air quality policy. Methods: The study was an analytical study which made use of routinely generated planning and administrative data as well as published data obtained from the solid waste management sector to estimate SLCPs associated with waste management activities. The solid waste emission estimation tool (SWEET) was used for estimating and quantifying SLCPs. Data were analyzed by developing scenarios for urban waste management (UWM) for Accra, informed by existing sector policychange implementation. Results: The per capita generation rates in- and out-side formal collection zones were 0.75 and 0.62 kg/person/day respectively. According to the data sources, the percentage generation rates in- and outside the formal collection zones were 67.5% and 32.5%. Waste burning was the highest source of all climate forcing emission and thus generated an emission of 125,792.50 metric tons CO2 eq with the least emission coming from organic management or composting (2,275.82 CO2 eq.). Using 2020 as the diversion scenario start year, the results indicated that by expanding recycling, methane emission will decrease from 161,653.39 metric tons CO2 eq. to 144, 360.94 metric tons CO2 eq in 2020; capturing landfill gas will also reduce methane emission from 161, 653.39 metric tons CO2 eq. to 148,088.05 metric tons CO2 eq. On the other hand, black carbon emission from waste burning in 2018 was 43,534.99 metric tons CO2 eq. By ending open burning in 2020, black carbon emission is expected to decrease from 55,125.14 metric tons CO2 eq. to 9,009.14 metric tons CO2 eq. Conclusion: Waste management sector activities in Accra appear to contribute SLCPs emission loading into the ambient environment. However, diversion of solid waste via composting and recycling is effective in lowering emission levels of some of the SLCPs. Additionally, ending open burning and capturing landfill gas was found to be successful in reducing climate forcing pollutants. It is therefore important that solid waste management in the country be considered in an integrated manner in order to reduce SLCP emissions.