Study Reveals Significant Methane Emissions from Chennai’s Dumpyards

A study conducted by the Centre for Climate Change and Disaster Management at Anna University indicates that biodegradable waste at Greater Chennai Corporation’s waste disposal facilities contributes to 52% of methane emissions in Tamil Nadu. The study, submitted to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, highlights that these dumpyards have the potential to emit 28,870 tonnes of methane annually.

Open dumpsites across Tamil Nadu, including those in Chennai, generate greenhouse gases like methane, posing a serious threat to global warming. While Chennai’s dumpyards emit a substantial amount of methane, other regions in Tamil Nadu also contribute to methane emissions, albeit at lower levels.

The report suggests mitigating methane emissions by enhancing source segregation and increasing biodegradable waste processing through composting and biomethanation. It recommends diverting highly biodegradable food waste from bulk generators to biomethanation or bio-CNG plants to curb methane emissions effectively.