Methane emissions from landfill sites in the Netherlands, 1980-2001

Developments

When biodegradable waste is dumped, methane is emitted from the landfill sites over a long period. The reduction in methane emissions since 1990 can be explained by the fall in the amount of organic waste, such as garden and kitchen waste, in non-separated household waste sent to landfill. This is mainly a result of the separate collection of organic household waste. In addition, these gases are increasingly being burned off or used for other purposes.

References

• Coops, O., L. Luning, et al. (1995). Emissies van stortplaatsen. Publicatiereeks Emissieregistratie nr. 28. Chief Environmental Hygiene Inspectorate, Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, The Hague.
• Cornelissen, A.A.J. en D. Beker (1999). Onderzoek naar de fysische samenstelling van het Nederlandse huishoudelijk afval, resultaten 1997. RIVM, Bilthoven.
• Jager, D. de, and K. Blok (1993). Koolstofbalans van het afvalsysteem in Nederland. Ecofys, Utrecht.
• VVAV (2002). Jaarverslag 2001. Dutch Waste Processing Association, Utrecht.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

• Guide to 'Waste management measures' section
• Production of sustainable energy in the Netherlands, share in total energy supply, 1990-2001
• Emissions to air, 1990-2002*
• Waste generation and processing by target sector in the Netherlands, 1990-2001*
• Guide to Environmental theme of Climate change (greenhouse effect)

Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium

• Recent emission data can be viewed in detail on the Datawarehouse Emission Inventory. This site also provides information about the methods for determining emission data and information about changes to methodology.