Improved organic waste management: climate benefits through the 3Rs in developing Asian countries
This report consists of four main sections. In the first part, it presents data from the national GHG inventories of a number of developing Asian countries, identifies the main sources of GHG emissions from the waste sector, and analyses the national climate strategies of selected countries. Secondly, the report presents data on the potential climate benefits of the 3Rs. It shows that improvements in waste management can reduce GHG emissions in two different ways: by reducing direct emissions from the waste sector and by influencing emissions from other sectors. Thirdly, this report explains how the 3Rs can be applied to manage organic waste. Organic waste is the largest component of municipal solid waste in developing countries and this waste stream is responsible for the majority of direct GHG emissions from the waste sector. Fourthly, the report introduces management hierarchies indicating the most preferable treatment technologies for food, paper, wood and grass taking climate co-benefits, resource efficiency and energy input into consideration.