National Waste Data Collection Programme: Improving our waste composition and emissions data

Details

The Government has set targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector, as part of broader efforts to reduce emissions contributing to climate change. A major source of emissions in the waste sector is methane generation from the decomposition of organic waste in landfills. The Ministry for the Environment quantifies emissions from landfills nation-wide as part of its annual greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory. These estimates are an essential part of our view of the current state of emissions and progress towards reduction targets.

The GHG inventory employs a modelling approach whereby methane emissions are estimated from historic patterns of organic material volumes entering landfill and known rates of waste decay over time (minus gas capture, if any). This approach is dependent (along with other factors) on the quality, consistency, and coverage of data on the material composition of waste entering landfills over time, with missing data introducing significant uncertainty to modelling estimates. Improving our data will reduce these uncertainties and provide a more accurate view of emissions from landfill.

The services sought are to plan and undertake methane emission and waste composition data collection at regulated waste facilities (class 1-4 landfills, cleanfills, and transfer stations). While conducting these studies, the supplier will assess the organic content in incoming waste soils; compare the accuracy of visual surveys to sort-and-weigh surveys for the same material loads; and collect ancillary activity source and vehicle type data for modelling purposes. A final report will collate data from all sites, describe the methodology used, provide site context on historic and current fill patterns (for landfills and cleanfills), and speak to lessons learned.

The Ministry will prepare a list of waste facilities to visit and pre-arrange access to these sites with facility operators, including communication of the purpose of the study and general working arrangements (ie pre-engagement).