Regional landfills methane emission inventory in Malaysia

Abstract

The decomposition of municipal solid waste (MSW) in landfills under anaerobic conditions produces landfill gas (LFG) containing approximately 50—60% methane (CH4) and 30—40% carbon dioxide (CO2) by volume. CH4 has a global warming potential 21 times greater than CO2; thus, it poses a serious environmental problem. As landfills are the main method for waste disposal in Malaysia, the major aim of this study was to estimate the total CH4 emissions from landfills in all Malaysian regions and states for the year 2009 using the IPCC, 1996 first-order decay (FOD) model focusing on clean development mechanism (CDM) project applications to initiate emission reductions. Furthermore, the authors attempted to assess, in quantitative terms, the amount of CH4 that would be emitted from landfills in the period from 1981—2024 using the IPCC 2006 FOD model. The total CH4 emission using the IPCC 1996 model was estimated to be 318.8 Gg in 2009. The Northern region had the highest CH4 emission inventory, with 128.8 Gg, whereas the Borneo region had the lowest, with 24.2 Gg. It was estimated that Pulau Penang state produced the highest CH4 emission, 77.6 Gg, followed by the remaining states with emission values ranging from 38.5 to 1.5 Gg. Based on the IPCC 1996 FOD model, the total Malaysian CH 4 emission was forecast to be 397.7 Gg by 2020. The IPCC 2006 FOD model estimated a 201 Gg CH4 emission in 2009, and estimates ranged from 98 Gg in 1981 to 263 Gg in 2024.