Greenhouse gas emissions of different waste treatment options for sector-specific commercial and industrial waste in Germany

This article investigates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from commercial and industrial (C&I) waste treatment considering five sector-specific waste compositions and four different treatment scenarios in Germany. Results show that the highest share of CO 2 -equivalent emissions can be avoided in each of the analysed industrial sectors if solid recovered fuel (SRF) is produced for co-incineration in cement kilns. Across all industries, emissions of approximately 680 kg CO 2 -eq. Mg −1 C&I waste can be avoided on average under this scenario. The combustion of C&I waste in waste incineration plants without any previous mechanical treatment generates the lowest potential to avoid GHG emissions with a value of approximately 50 kg CO 2 -eq. Mg −1 C&I waste on average in all industries. If recyclables are sorted, this can save emissions of approximately 280 kg CO 2 -eq. Mg −1 C&I waste while the treatment in SRF power plants amounts to savings of approximately 210 kg CO 2 -eq. Mg −1 C&I waste. A comparison of the treatment scenarios of the waste from these five sectors shows that waste treatment of the craft sector leads to the lowest CO 2 -equivalent reduction rates of all scenarios. In contrast, the treatment of waste from catering sector leads to the highest CO 2 -equivalent reduction rates except for direct incineration in waste incineration plants. The sensitivity analysis of the different scenarios for this paper shows that the efficiency and the substitution factor of energy have a relevant influence on the result. Changes in the substitution factor of 10% can result in changes in emissions of approximately 55 to 75 kg CO 2 -eq. Mg −1 in waste incineration plants and approximately 90 kg CO 2 -eq. Mg −1 in the case of cement kilns.