Landfill emissions are the largest single source of emissions for several Hunter JO member councils and this is often the case for any council that operates its own landfills. However, measuring greenhouse gas emissions from landfill is complicated, time consuming and confusing.
To address this complexity, the Hunter Joint Organisation partnered with the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) through the Sustainability Partnerships 2023 program to develop a range of resources to help councils measure and report greenhouse gas emissions associated with landfills.
Mastering Landfill Emissions with the NGER Solid Waste Calculator
The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Scheme is a national framework that requires companies that meet certain threshold to measure and report greenhouse emissions. While local councils are not typically required to report under the NGER Scheme, the greenhouse gas accounting methods provided are national best practice and can be useful tools to help councils understand their own emissions profile. For waste, NGER provides the Solid Waste Calculator, an excel based tool to help waste facility operators estimate and report current and future emissions in accordance with the NGER methodologies.
To help councils use the Solid Waste Calculator, the Hunter JO has developed the Mastering Landfill Emissions NGER Solid Waste Calculator package, which includes the following:
Video Guide – This video provides councils with a step-by-step guide on how to estimate landfill emissions using the NGER SWC.
Written Guide – The complement the video, the written guide provides clear and non-technical instructions on using the NGER SWC.
Framework of rules and assumptions – a guide to key issues to be consider and principles to adhere to when using the NGER SWC.
Factsheets
To help councils better understand landfill gas emissions and management approaches, the Hunter JO has developed a series of factsheets.
Click below to view or download these helpful resources.
Landfill Emissions Data Dashboard
The project also involved completing NGER solid waste calculators for 10 landfills operated by the Hunter Joint Organisation’s member councils and Central Coast Council, showing the estimated emissions for each landfill out to 2100.
The Hunter JO has also modelled estimated emissions reductions that could be achieved for each of these 10 landfills by:
- Diverting organic waste from landfill through a FOGO collection
- Implementation of a Landfill Gas Capture system; and
- Landfill Closure.
The landfill emission profiles, and the emission reduction models are presented in an interactive data dashboard that is available to staff from the Hunter JO member councils (and Central Coast Council).
To access the dashboard, visit the Hunter Circular Knowledge Hub.
Need help?
Contact the Hunter JO’s Circular Economy Team on ce@hunterjo.nsw.gov.au if you have any questions or need help accessing the project outputs.
Acknowledgements
This project was undertaken through a partnership with the NSW Environmental Protection Authority and Hunter Joint Organisation. 100% Renewables, a consultancy specialising in the development of net zero, carbon neutral and climate positive strategies, was engaged to develop the Landfill Emissions package.
Proudly funded by the NSW EPA through the 2023 Sustainable Partnerships program.
