This document discusses carbon accounting in the waste sector in Scotland. It notes that Scotland generates around 22 million tonnes of waste per year from various sources. The Landfill Directive set targets to divert biodegradable municipal waste from landfill to reduce emissions. As recycling rates increase to meet future targets of 50% by 2013 and 60% by 2020, carbon emissions reductions are achieved through less collection, reprocessing, and landfilling as well as displacing virgin materials. Recycling 52% of municipal waste instead of landfilling all could reduce Scotland's carbon emissions by around 0.5 million tonnes per year. While waste management makes important contributions, its role in reducing emissions is limited in emissions reporting mechanisms.

1. Carbon Accounting in the Waste Sector Prof Jim Baird Caledonian Environment Centre Glasgow Caledonian University 1

3. 3.2 Million Tonnes

4. Offices/Schools/Shops/Industry

5. 8.4 Million Tonnes

6. Construction and Demolition

7. 10.4 Million Tonnes2

8. Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC) Tightened up standards for operation Required pre-treatment of waste prior to landfill And Perhaps most significantly: Set targets for the diversion of Biodegradable Municipal Waste Municipal Waste Biodegradable 3

9. Definitions Municipal Waste EU - waste from households, as well as other waste, which, because of its nature or composition, is similar to waste from household UK – Waste Collected by or on behalf of the Local Authority Biodegradable Any waste that is capable of undergoing anaerobic or aerobic decomposition, such as; food and garden waste; and paper and cardboard Leads to Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) 4

10. Effect of Recycling on Biodegradable tonnage 3.2Mt/yr 2.5Mt/yr 1.2 Landfill Directive Targets 1.0 2.0 1.5 1.32 0.88 0.6 2020 2013 2010 2002/3 2005/6 5

12. 5 of these6

14. 4 of these7

16. Or Even better - 9

18. New recycling/composting targets:

19. 40% by 2010

20. 50% by 2013

21. 60% by 2020

22. 70% by 2025

23. New National Waste Plan with single outcome agreements for each local authorities

24. Max. 25% mixed waste treated using efficient energy technologies (e.g. EfW)10

25. First Wave: Recycling and Composting 11

26. CO2 E CO2 E Resources Resources CO2 E Landfill Householders (Councils) Waste Sector Energy Sector Manufacturing Sector Business Consumers Reprocessor Materials EfW 12

27. Current Situation -41%Recycling An Example Council Population: 60,000 households 13

28. Increased Recycling – 52% Recycling 14 An Example Council Population: 60,000 households

29. Carbon Impacts – 4 Components Collection – vehicles locally collecting waste Local Reprocessing – includes transport to markets Displacing Virgin Material Landfilling residual 15

30. Displacement of Virgin Materials 16

31. Carbon Emissions – Recycling Programmes 17

32. Carbon Emissions – Recycling Programmes 18

33. Carbon Emissions – Recycling Programmes 19

34. Carbon Emissions – Recycling Programmes 20

35. Carbon Emissions – Recycling Programmes 21

36. Scotland’s Emissions Mt CO2E 22

38. Gas Recovery

39. Energy Sector

40. Industrial Processes

41. Agriculture

42. Land Use/Forestry

43. Waste

44. Collection

45. Reprocessing

46. Recycled materials23

47. Impact of Scotland’s Municipal Waste 3.2Mt/yr to manage – two scenarios Scenario 1 No recycling – all waste to landfill Scenario 2 52% recycling – remainder to landfill Expanding of kerbside collection services Recycling Centres Focus of organic materials being recovered 24

48. Impact of Scotland’s Municipal Waste 25

49. CO2 E CO2 E Resources Resources CO2 E Landfill Householders (Councils) Waste Sector Energy Sector Manufacturing Sector Business Consumers Reprocessor Materials EfW 26

50. Waste Management Contributing to Scotland’s Carbon Reduction Programme Landfill Diversion – helping to reduce the 2.36Mt/yr BMW reductions help – Landfill gas as energy recovery remains critical Doesn’t address commercial organic wastes though Recycling – helping to reduce the 59Mt/yr Small contribution to emissions from collection Through raw material substitution – major contribution Yet what fiscal carbon mechanism works to support the waste sector? none 27

51. But what about Waste Prevention Avoiding the production of waste is best Taking a basket of materials (Paper/card/plastic/textiles/glass/metals) Avoided CO2 per tonne of material (USEPA data) Apply 10% reduction of these materials across MSW and C&I waste streams in Scotland Predicts 1Mt/yr in CO2TE emissions reduction! 28

52. Waste Supporting Carbon Reduction Well targeted waste policies have a compounding effect and could contribute 6% towards Scotland’s 80% reduction targets 29

53. To Conclude: Waste Management can play an important role in reducing Scotland’s GHG Emissions The IPCC Reporting Mechanisms limit the extent to which the waste sector is credited for its contribution. 30