Waste management strategies effects on GHG emission: Case study of Serbia

Landfilling is a dominant method of waste management in most developing countries. Moreover, a significant quantity of waste has been disposed on open dumps and unmanaged disposal sites. Landfill gas (LFG) can be considerable source of GHG emissions, as it consists of 50 % methane and 50 % carbon dioxide. Republic of Serbia is a developing country. Its waste management legislation is based on EU legislation. In the first decade of 2000s a set of laws was passed in this area. Unfortunately, the majority of goals were not fulfilled. An updated version of Waste management program is active since 2022. In Serbia, 2.95 million tons of waste is generated every year. It is estimated that 15-20 % is disposed on dumps, while 80 % is collected and disposed on the landfills. Waste treatment does not exist. Recycling rate is a very low, around 15%. Different waste management scenarios of impact on GHG emissions have been analysed. The analysis was performed using the software “Tool for Calculating Greenhouse Gases (GHG) in Solid Waste Management (SWM-GHG calculator)” developed by the German IFEU (ger. Institut für Energie- und Umweltforschung Heidelberg). The base scenario describes the current situation. Scenarios 1 and 2 describe goals set for 2025 and 2030 by Waste management program in the Republic of Serbia for the period 2022 - 2031. Scenario 3 describes best case scenario, with fully functional modern waste management system. The analysis includes several parameters, such as landfill type, recycling rate, LFG collection efficiency and use of waste incineration technology.