Municipal solid waste metabolism in Bangkok

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to identify low carbon municipal solid waste management (MSWM) schemes and policy recommendations for Bangkok. The study analyzed Bangkok’s municipal solid waste metabolism using Material Flow Analysis (MFA) and Geographic Information System (GIS). MFA of Bangkok’s MSWM indicated that landfill is the GHG hot spot. Landfills are the largest GHG emission source (88%) in Bangkok’s waste metabolism. Waste collection system is the energy consumption hot spot (82%). In addition, GIS displayed based on MSWM parameters (MSWc volume, net and intensity of GHG emission and energy consumption) revealed hot spot areas of each parameter. Among 50 districts, Pathumwan and Wattana districts are the highest hot spot areas in term of MSWc volume, net, and intensity of GHG emission. Analyses of Bangkok’s MSW metabolism provides insights for key factors and potential improvement to help developing a low carbon MSWM system. The study examined eleven scenarios to improve the performance of current Bangkok’s MSW metabolism. An approach on reducing 25% waste generation at sources has the highest potential to reduce GHG emission by approximately 24.5% and energy consumption by 24.21%. Multiple actions, comprising of (1) decentralized composting facility, (2) changing fuel type in the vehicles for waste collection, and (3) campaign for reducing 25% waste generation, showed the highest potential in GHG reduction (30.01%). The scheme that can yield the highest reduction of energy consumption approximates 36.58% is multiple actions comprising of (1) changing fuel type in the vehicles for waste collection, and (2) campaign for reducing 25% waste generation. Changing fuel types in waste collection truck and waste reduction campaign are practical options to promote a low carbon scheme in Bangkok which can help reducing GHG emission (0.29 MtCO2e) by 2020. The research developed a program that can help estimate emission of MSWM in local districts. Recommended options/policies of MSWM present with potential GHG reduction as the output of the developed program. The program can help provide informaiton for decision making at a district or provincial level toward low carbon waste management.