RE: [GreenYes] What does GHG neutral mean?

["Reindl, John" <Reindl@co.dane.wi.us>]

Being neutral in terms of Green House Gases in a solid waste system means
that there is no net increase due to human activity vis-à-vis what would
have happened in nature. That is, the amount of CO2 produced from the
decomposition of leaves in a compost pile is the same amount of CO2 produced
by the leaves decomposing on the lawn or in the forest -- the effect of
people is thus a net of zero.
 
Now, of course, the situation is more complex than this simple example.
Nature may not necessarily produce the same quantity of material (for
example, food stuff) that humans do. So, while the studies I have seen label
the CO2 from food in a compost pile as having "no net effect", just the fact
that the food was produced may in fact result in a net change. 

And, what is clear is that if the leaves are put in the landfill, some
methane will be produced during anaerobic decomposition, which will have a
much great greenhouse effect than if the leaves decomposed aerobically. On
the other side of the equation, there will be some carbon sequestered in the
landfill, reducing the greenhouse effect. The EPA report discusses both
sides of this equation.

John Reindl

> -----Original Message-----
> From: TomT [mailto:TomT@mwes.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2002 2:31 PM
> To: greenyes@grrn.org
> Subject: RE: [GreenYes] What is GHG?
> 
> 
> Thanks for the definition John
> 
> So when you all were referring to GHG neutral, does that mean 
> a net of zero?
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Reindl, John [mailto:Reindl@co.dane.wi.us]
> Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2002 1:40 PM
> To: 'The Eden Sterling Company'; greenyes@grrn.org
> Subject: RE: [GreenYes] What is GHG?
> 
> 
> GHG = Green House Gas.
> 
> EPA has a very well done report on the greenhouse gas emissions from
> municipal solid waste at 
> http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/ghg.htm.
> 
> John Reindl
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: The Eden Sterling Company [mailto:info@edensterling.com]
> > Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2002 12:38 PM
> > To: greenyes@grrn.org
> > Subject: [GreenYes] What is GHG?
> > 
> > 
> > Could someone post a definition of GHG?
> > 
> > Thanks,
> > Ben Randolph
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
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