A Review of the Massachusetts Regulated Waste Disposal Industries Focusing on Transportation Emissions

Abstract

Transportation of regulated waste generates significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Reductions in the number of disposal locations in Massachusetts due to industry consolidation force wastes to be transported farther for proper handling, increasing vehicular emissions. Previous studies of freight emissions have focused on mitigating GHG emissions through technological modifications of vehicles, use of alternative fuels, and maximizing the efficiency of transportation routes through hub siting. This study tracks changes in CO2 emissions by focusing on changes in destination locations. By calculating distances and CO2 emissions from generation to disposal locations over a ten-year period, trends caused by disposal industry contraction are identified. This information is critical for planning how regulated wastes can and will be managed in the future to minimize CO2 emissions (a GHG mitigation priority) balanced against land use concerns.