E-International Scientific Research Journal ISSN: 2094-1749 Volume: 2 Issue: 4, 2010 309 ESTIMATION OF GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) EMISSION LEVEL FROM WASTE AND GARBAGE DISPOSED IN THE COASTAL BARANGAYS OF DAPITAN CITY: IMPLICATIONS TO THEIR WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES S. Campiseño and R. Laranjo Jose Rizal Memorial State University – Main Campus, Dapitan City Jose Rizal Memorial State University – Main Campus, Dapitan City Abstract Wastes and garbage disposed of by the coastal barangays of Dapitan City were analyzed as to volume, composition and manner of disposal in order to estimate the approximate level of daily greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using an international conversion factor by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) conversion manual. The waste management practices of the barangays were likewise determined since these determine to a large extent the volume of GHG emitted through household wastes. Results revealed that roughly 43.8 kilo-tons of CO2, 2.52 kilo-tons of methane and .515 kilo-tons of nitreous oxide per year are derived from the household wastes alone owing to their poor waste management practices. If open burning and other improper waste disposal practices were strictly prohibited and violators apprehended, the greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by as much as 50% of their current levels. Keywords: biomass conversion factor, greenhouse gas, waste management Introduction Much of the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can be attributed to the activities of man: from the mundane household wastes to the wastes generated by large industrial plants. The manner in which these wastes are disposed of also determine the amount of harmful gases, notably carbon dioxide and methane, that these wastes give off. Open dumping and burning are two(2) of the more seriously damaging manner of waste disposal that greatly contribute to rise in global temperature (IPCC, 2009). The lack of environmentally friendly, sustainable and affordable waste management has led to open dumping and open burning of solid wastes in many parts of the world. Open dumping encourages scavenging for recyclable materials that pose real health hazards to the community. On the other hand, open burning results in particulate matters or black carbon in the higher altitudes of the earth , where ice is common, resulting in greater absorption of the sun’s energy thus trapping heat in the earth’s atmosphere. Global warming results from the excess heat trapped in these areas causing ice to melt and consequently, producing various kinds of aberrant weather patterns.