Operational Carbon Footprint of Municipal Solid Waste Collection and Transport Operations in the City of Sabratha: Estimation of Direct Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Diesel Fuel
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65405/n0pfpf26Keywords:
Municipal solid waste; waste collection and transportation; carbon dioxide emissions; diesel fuel; operational carbon footprint; Sabratha; Libya.Abstract
Municipal solid waste (MSW) collection and transportation are sources of greenhouse gas emissions within waste management systems, particularly due to diesel fuel consumption by collection and transport vehicles. This study aims to estimate the direct carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions resulting from diesel fuel consumption during the operational activities associated with MSW collection and transportation in Sabratha City, Libya. The study was based on field operational data, including the quantity of waste transported, the number of daily trips, diesel fuel consumption, and the characteristics of the transport fleet. The estimated quantity of transported waste ranged from 120 to 150 t/day, with 15 daily trips dedicated to waste collection and transportation and one additional street-cleaning trip using a 4-t truck. Total operational diesel fuel consumption for the fleet was estimated at 300–400 L/day. Direct CO₂ emissions were estimated using the methodology of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), with a derived diesel emission factor of 2.692 kg CO₂/L. The results showed that the estimated direct CO₂ emissions ranged from 807.7 to 1,077.0 kg CO₂/day, equivalent to 294.8–393.1 t CO₂/year, assuming 365 operating days per year. For estimating emission intensity, scenario-based values ranged from 6.73 to 7.18 kg CO₂/t of waste, with a calculated midpoint value of 6.98 kg CO₂/t. These results indicate that diesel fuel consumption represents a direct source of emissions associated with the fleet's operational activities within the defined study boundaries. The study provides an initial local baseline that can be further improved through the implementation of detailed daily operational records for fuel consumption, travel distances, and vehicle loads, thereby supporting more accurate emission estimates and the assessment of MSW collection and transportation efficiency in Sabratha City.
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