METHODOLOGY FOR REDUCTION OF GHG EMISSIONS FROM MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT

Collection and transport of municipal solid waste (MSW), as a part of solid waste management, have a great environmental impact due to exhaust emissions from fuel combustion. Distance traveled appears as one of the most influencing parameter in total fuel consumed. This paper presents a general methodology for route optimization using Geographic Information System (GIS). The necessary databases were created and established methodology was applied to waste collection and transport system in the city of Kragujevac. Using GIS software one typical route was optimized. Furthermore, fuel consumption and associated exhaust emissions vary in different waste collection and transport stages. Waste collection and transport circuit was divided into four different stages. The estimation of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions for optimized route was made and compared to estimated emissions of current route. Calculations, which also include vehicle speed as very important parameter, indicated great savings in GHG emissions.