Estimating the amount of methane emissions from solid waste disposal at Kiteezi landfill

Abstract

In Kampala, most of the waste is stored in open landfills without biogas collection systems. Methane emissions from landfills is a major contributor to greenhouse effect. Several models projecting methane emissions from landfills have been proposed in literature. The landfill Gas emissions model (LandGEM) is one the conventional models allowing to take into account, though roughly, the climate and environment. By comparing model results with field measurements in previous works, the LandGEM gave good results. Most of the studies using the LandGEM were principally conducted in the United States or in Europe. Few studies have made use of LandGEM in tropical areas. Kampala district and its neighbors are characterized by significant rainfall and high humidity throughout the year. In this study, we apply the LandGEM to Kiteezi landfill, the main open landfill of Kampala. And the findings show that the amounts of methane emissions at the site currently will be at their maximum in 2034 with 9.558E + 03Mg/year. The study also shows that the amount of waste received at the site is related to the truck that is the KCCA trucks and private company truck. It further shows that the private company trucks bring in more waste than the KCCA trucks. The study recommended the public to change their lifestyle so as to minimize waste related emissions and this can be achieved through sensitization.