Identification of CDM options for emission reduction in sanitary landfills in Ecuador

Abstract

This paper intends, through the analysis of the application of CDM - Clean Development Mechanism - Projects, to identify a complementary tool that not only controls gas emissions from sanitary landfills, but is also able to overcome obstacles that prevent different Ecuadorian municipalities from performing an integral management of the solid wastes under their jurisdictions. The first phase started with a brief analysis of the current situation of the solid waste sector and the second phase defined the options for application of CDM in the different Ecuadorian municipalities. Preliminary projections of gas emissions from sanitary landfills were carried out using the LandGEM – Landfill Gas Emissions Model, Version 3.02 of the Environmental Protection Agency – EPA. The results led to the conclusion that few sanitary landfills in Ecuador have opportunities to include CDM projects and, therefore, the following options should be analyzed: (i) Organization of Partnerships/Associations; (ii) Technical closing of waste dumps; (iii) Composting projects. Composting is the aerobic process developed during decomposition of organic solid waste for the production of composts that eliminates the generation of methane gas in sanitary landfills caused by anaerobic decomposition. Conclusions and recommendations are the following: There are prospects for the development of CDM projects in the urban solid waste sector in Ecuador, but they will be limited if alternative strategies are not applied. Studies of CDM projects should be developed under the PIN – Project Idea Note to determine the interest of the risk capital market in Ecuador. Expectations should not be raised in medium and small municipalities about the advantages of the application of these CDM projects. It is rec ommended that the national policy provides the supportof experts to the municipalities through their associations.