Assessment of clean development mechanism contribution to methane emissions reduction and waste management, Jinja municipal waste composting project, Uganda

Abstract

Solid waste composting is being carried out in 12 municipalities in Uganda, Jinja inclusive with ambition of contributing to reduced Greenhouse Gas emissions (GHG) under the COM Programme of Activities. The Composting project under study is located at Masese-Jinja Municipality. The main objective of the study was to assess the Jinja Municipality solid waste composting project's contribution to Low Carbon Development and Waste Management. The specific objectives were to identify the different waste forms deposited; estimate and project methane emissions reductions by composting at the plant and to assess the different socio-economic and environment benefits derived from the Municipal waste compost plant. Both primary data and secondary data were used. Secondary data on wastes was sourced from UNFCCC website far use. Journal articles on waste management and the state of environment reports was reviewed. Key Informant Interviews and site visits were also conducted. Data validation was done using the Focused Group Discussions. The methane emissions avoided and emissions reductions estimations were done using both the 2006 TPCC Waste Model spreadsheet and the default emissions estimate approach presented in the 1996 IPCC Good Practice Guidelines. In data management and analysis, Ms Excel and STAT A MP 14 statistical packages were used to generate frequency tables, graphs and came up with other statistical conclusions. The study shows that the A variety of wastes are deposited with most of the wastes sourced from domestic use including organic waste (32%), polythene and plastics (18%) as most dominant in composition. It was realized that of the deposited wastes, waste forms such as broken plastics, bottles and metal scrap were extracted by scavengers for sale to other parties. In the assumed scenarios of management, it was noticed that a big percentage of the respondents (76%) perceived that the waste levels would be low if the current waste management was improved. The study also revealed that the estimated methane emissions avoided and Net Emissions Reductions from solid waste cornposted for years 2009-2019 and also predicted future emissions throughout the project life up to 2030 demonstrated an increasing trend with time variations. This is a good illustration of cornposting as a good waste management strategy for climate change mitigation and a low carbon economy development. It was recommended that community members need to engage in waste segregation and separation practices at the waste generation source. The Municipality needs to enhance public-private partnerships for improved and timely handling, transportation and management of the Municipal Solid Waste. Enforcement of Waste management by-laws for controlled indiscriminate dumping of wastes. Jinja Municipality has already enacted waste management by- law that awaits implementation. The policy makers need to come up with policy measures that enhance integrated waste management for increased resource recoveries, optimizing annual budgeting and expenses for waste management. Key words: Municipal Solid Waste Management, Composting, Emission Reductions