Name: Melisa Ljusa
Affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Sarajevo
Journal Title: A lecture on waste sector
Date: 08 August 2022


We have started the first working day in a good mood - today is the birthday of our colleague Reza from Iran! The secretariat prepared a surprise and gift for our colleague! Reza is one of the most active members of our group who is always willing & ready to help and share his knowledge!


Picture 1. Reza Fallah from Iran

"Happy birthday! 생일 축하해! Sretan rođendan!"

 
Today we had lectures related to the waste sector. The lecturer was prof. Seungdo Kim from Hallym University.

At the beginning of the lecture, we were introduced to the basic definition and goal of the GHG inventory. The professor introduced us in detail to all IPCC waste categories within the waste sector, as well as to the four main GHG Emission Processes in this sector, namely: methanogenesis, nitrification and denitrification, incineration and general decomposition. 

Prof. Kim has explicitly pointed out the importance of knowing the terminology in the waste sector, especially when it comes to activity data. He also empasized the importance of knowing the definitions and pointed out to us the definition of solid waste that is used in Korea, and municipal solid waste, which can differ by country.

The introductory part also points out the significance of knowing waste composition as it is related to degradable organic carbon (DOC) and fossil carbon. Default DOC values are shown, and it is emphasized that the best composition data can be obtained by routine monitoring at the gate of landfill or incineration and other treatment facilities. An example of the calculation of waste per capita is shown and it can serve as a basis for the calculation of the total amount of waste.

We focused on landfill processes in the continuation of the lecture. Semi-aerobic landfill that utilizes an aerobic metabolic process as much as possible as a result of opening to the air is the most important in the majority of developing countries. A system of landfill as integrated treatment units was created in Korea, which are very effective for solid waste. The professor emphasized that it is of the highest importance to understand the processes that take place at landfills. In this context, he explained emissions from solid waste disposal sites. 

Key parameters for estimating methane emissions from solid waste disposal on land are 1) the amount of carbon contained in the waste, 2) the availability of that carbon to the biodegradation process, and 3) the moisture content. We received a detailed explanation of estimation of methane emissions from landfills. The professor explained the process that takes place in the context of the reduction of the mass of waste over time, as well as the increase of methane so that we can understand the calculation itself. Uncertainty of data and uncertainties of default parameters were pointed out, as well as QA/QC, which is one of the main items for developing countries that needs improvement.

The theoretical part was followed by our work on calculations and specific tasks, which were not easy at all. Given that the calculations were complex, respected Prof. Kim was always willing to provide help and additional explanations.



Picture 2. Prof. Seungdo Kim from Hallym University

The final part of the lecture focused on the biological treatment of solid waste. There were discussions on the composting process and the experiences of Korea in making compost from food waste. Waste incineration which is defined as the combustion of solid and liquid waste in controlled incineration facilities was presented as well. Relevant data necessary for calculations include: the amount and composition of the waste, dry matter content, the total carbon content, the fossil carbon fraction and the oxidation factor.

Today's lectures have demonstrated the complexity of the processes and the waste sector in general. The calculations that we performed may require specific knowledge about the processes themselves, as well as the input data. The waste sector seems much more complicated than the other sectors that we had the opportunity to discuss about, during the training.




Coordinator's comments:
It was certainly delightful to celebrate together birthdays of a number of trainees during this programme. It was Reza's day, I recall. It would be our pleasure if everyone started the very last Monday in Korea with big smiles. I could see in your journal the phrase of happy birthday in Korean and Bosnisch as well. Please teach me how to pronounce it in Bosnisch next time we meet again!
As Professor Seungdo Kim has long been an expert in the field and at the same time a professor at the university delivering lectures and advice to international students of master's and doctorate degree in Korea (and also joined the training programme for several years before COVID), I am sure that he is very familiar with sharing only the most important knowledge that are practical to everyone. Though I assume that exercises that involved calculations were challenging, I would be very glad if Professor Kim's lesson helped you a lot to broaden your understanding of the waste sector.