American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 15 (5): 837-842, 2015 ISSN 1818-6769 © IDOSI Publications, 2015 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.aejaes.2015.15.5.12602 Corresponding Author: Michael Arieh P. Medina, Department of Environmental Science, College of Forestry and Environmental Science, Central Mindanao University, University Town, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines 8715. 837 Estimating Methane Gas Emissions from Solid Waste Generated by Households in an Urban Village in Bukidnon, Philippines Michael Arieh P. Medina and Ronald Regan C. Forten Department of Environmental Science, College of Forestry and Environmental Science, Central Mindanao University, University Town, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines 8715 Abstract: To provide inputs to solid waste management planning with a climate change perspective for an urban village in Bukidnon, Philippines, a waste analysis and characterization study (WACS) was conducted in Barangay Dologon, Maramag Town in Bukidnon, Philippines. Methane emissions from landfills based on waste generation data were then estimated. From this, future waste management scenarios with different waste diversion rate targets were tested in terms of methane emissions avoided. Descriptive statistics (mean and percentage) were used in the data analysis. Furthermore, non-parametric inferential statistics (Friedman test and Nemenyi test) were used to compare the different waste management scenarios in terms of its equivalent methane emissions. The study found out that food waste is the main contributor of methane emissions in the village which means a great potential for methane reduction through composting. Paper waste provides only a minimal methane emission reduction due to the small amount of this type of waste from the village. A minimal 25% waste diversion rate in food, yard and mixed paper waste is enough to significantly decrease methane emission from waste in the village. The study recommends streamlining of climate change mitigation in solid waste management planning in the village. Key words: Solid waste management Climate change Methane emissions Bukidnon Philippines INTRODUCTION Thus, reduction of methane emissions from landfill sites Though it is always understood that proper waste [3]. management helps protect the health and well-being of Methane comprises more than 55% of the citizens, many failed to realize that solid waste also atmospheric concentration of all emissions from landfill impacts climate change. The processes involved in the sites. Furthermore, carbon dioxide comprises more than manufacture of products up to its disposal as waste all 37% of these emissions [4]. In the Philippines, the Manila result in emissions of atmospheric gases called Observatory has recorded 6,357 kilotons of carbon “greenhouse gases” that leads to global warming and dioxide emissions from solid waste in Philippine urban climate change. When organic waste decomposes in populations in 1994. Aside from that 302.73 kilotons of landfills and uncontrolled dumps, it produces methane, methane are produced from solid waste in the same year one of the major greenhouse gases contributing to climate [5]. In a study conducted in Taiwan, the average methane change [1]. Methane is second to carbon dioxide in being emission rate is estimated to be 13.17, 65.27 and 0.99 the largest contributor to global warming among mg/m /hr as measured by gas chromatography chamber anthropogenic greenhouse gases. The global warming method in 1–2, 2–3 and 5 year-old landfill, respectively [6]. potential of methane (over a 100 year time horizon) is The alarming rate of methane production in our 21 times greater than that of carbon dioxide [2]. landfills where most of our household wastes end up, Open dumping and improper landfilling of municipal motivated the researchers to look into this solid waste (MSW) is reported to contribute to 3–19% of matter—addressing climate change through solid waste the anthropogenic sources of methane emissions globally. management at the community level. A waste analysis and would greatly reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere 2