Greenhouse gases emissions from solid waste: an analysis of Expo 2010 Shanghai,China

The management of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions is currently a very important environmental issue. Mega-event organizers and host cities have attached great importance to GHGs emissions associated with event-related activities. However, GHGs emissions from event solid waste have never been thoroughly discussed. This study investigated GHGs emissions of major event’s solid waste using life cycle assessment, based on Shanghai Expo case. The results showed that GHGs from collecting and sorting, transportation and landfill treatment amount to 9790 t CO₂e. And the emission intensity is estimated to be 134 g CO₂e per event service. GHGs reduction from recycling amounts to 48 kt CO₂e, with 78 % of these the result of construction waste recycle. It illustrates that waste recycle plays a vital role in GHGs mitigation. Finally, the study suggests that the concept of waste avoidance, waste reuse and waste recycle is an effective waste management to mitigate climate change and should be implemented in major event to achieve the goal of green event.