Orange County NC Website
109 <br /> APPENDIX A.2— . . . . . . <br /> SOLID WASTE <br /> Due to the existence of five waste haulers in the County and the closure of the local <br /> landfill in 2013, tracking the amount of solid waste produced in Orange County proved <br /> challenging. The destination landfill was unable to provide the required data in time <br /> for this report, necessitating an estimation of total solid waste based on 2017 levels <br /> and a growth factor for two subsequent years. Emission factors were determined <br /> using the 2019 Orange County Recyclables Characterization Study24 and the 2017 <br /> Waste Characterization study25 conducted by Kessler Consulting. The following are the <br /> specific emission factors: Mixed MSW Emission Factor (MT CH4/wet short ton) 0.0648, <br /> Newspaper Emission Factor(MT CH4/wet short ton)0.042,Office Paper Emission Factor <br /> (MT CH4/wet short ton) 0.1556, Corrugated Cardboard Emission Factor (MT CH4/wet <br /> short ton) 0.1048, Magazines/Third Class Mail Emission Factor (MT CH4/wet short ton) <br /> 0.0476, Food Scraps Emission Factor (MT CH4/wet short ton) 0.0648, Grass Emission <br /> Factor (MT CH4/wet short ton) 0.0228, Leaves Emission Factor (MT CH4/wet short <br /> ton) 0.026, Branches Emission Factor (MT CH4/wet short ton) 0.058. The calculation <br /> methodology was adopted from the US Community ProtocoI.26 <br /> WATER AND WASTEWATER <br /> Both potable water and wastewater systems consume electricity,and the emissions from <br /> this are calculated as previously outlined. Additionally, wastewater treatment processes <br /> utilize natural gas, the emissions from which are calculated using the aforementioned <br /> methods. The process of digester gas combustion is estimated using site-specific data <br /> obtained from OWASA. This information is converted into emissions data by applying <br /> emission factors from the US Community Protocols. Specifically, the Biogenic CO2 <br /> Emissions Factor is 52.07 kg/MMBtu, the CH4 Emissions Factor is 0.0032 kg/MMBtu, <br /> and the N20 Emissions Factor is 6.3 x 10-4 kg/MMBtu. Further details on digester <br /> combustion calculations can be found in US Community Protocols WW.1.A, WW2.A, <br /> and WW.3. Emissions resulting from the flaring of digester gas are also considered in <br /> this inventory. This is determined using site-specific data sourced from OWASA and <br /> adhering to the best calculation practices provided by the US Community Protocol. The <br /> CH4 Emissions Factor in this case is 1.2177 x10-7 MT CH4/scf. Daily nitrogen discharge <br /> is another factor incorporated in this inventory. Using the daily nitrogen load provided <br /> by OWASA, emissions data is calculated in line with the US Community Protocol. Here, <br /> the N20 Emissions Factor stands at 0.005 kg N20/kg N in effluent. Additional details <br /> concerning effluent discharge can be referenced in the US Community Protocol, <br /> specifically WW.12. The final aspect of the water and wastewater analysis pertains to <br /> emissions from septic systems. While OWASA services the majority of households in <br /> 24 ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA RECYCLABLES CHARACTERIZATION STUDY,Kessler <br /> Consulting,Inc. <br /> 25 https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2826/ <br /> 2017-Orange-County-Waste-Characterization-Study-Final-Report-PDF <br /> 26 U.S.Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Appendix E:Solid <br /> Waste Emission Activities and Sources <br /> 18 ORANGE COUNTY, NC • APPENDICES <br />