The Big Picture

PCD Credit: Renewable or Alternative Fueled On-Site Mobile Equipment 

(1 Point, Reciprocal)

Credit Summary

This credit aims to shine light on the importance of using renewable or alternative fuel sources when dealing with the transportation of solid waste. Although proper solid waste management is essential, ensuring that green practices are carried out throughout the whole process is pivotal as well. 

Impact Summary

Switching to use of renewable or alternative fuel sources has the ability to not only reduce our consumption of fossil fuels but decrease our GHG emissions as well. Counteracting the benefits from proper solid waste management with the use of fossil fueled transportation methods is counterproductive to combating climate change and providing a healthy environment for both people and the planet.  

Submittal Summary

To receive this credit, local governments and industry leaders must provide documentation proving that they have made improvements to their on site mobile equipment. It must be demonstrated that strong enhancements have been made to these services and the benefits have been clearly outlined. 

Case Study and Benefits

As you can see below, the DOE has done strong studies proving that non-LDV (non light duty vehicles) make up 45% of total transportation that takes place in the US. While 71% of the nation’s petroleum is consumed by vehicles and 33% of total GHG emissions come from vehicles, these non-LDV’s make up for nearly half of each of those percentages. Providing alternative or renewable fuel options would significantly decrease our nation’s use of petroleum as well as our GHG emissions. 

Intent and Requirements

Intent

To reduce atmospheric emissions associated with disposal of solid waste and promote renewable and low-carbon intensity alternatives to non-renewable transportation fuels.

Local Government and Industry Requirements

Demonstrate, on a percentage basis, the use of renewable or low-emission fuels in the vehicles/mobile equipment used on-site. The percentage of renewable or alternative fuel use can be determined on the basis of either the fraction of the vehicle/mobile equipment fleet or the fraction of annual miles traveled, or total fuel consumed.

Percentage of Alternative Fueled 32 on-site mobile equipment:

• 30 percent or more use of Renewable fuels in onsite vehicles/mobile equipment or 30 percent or more total fuel consumption utilizes Renewable Fuels.

OR

• 60 percent or more from Alternative/Low Carbon fuels of on site mobile equipment or total 60 percent or more fuel consumption utilizes Alternative/Low-carbon Fuels.

Potential Strategies:

• Utilize Electric equipment
• Utilize landfill methane
• Utilize natural gas
• Utilize Digester methane
• Utilize Diesel Hybrids
• Utilize liquid fuels derived from solid waste

Why We Care

According to data from the U.S. EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, as of 2019, the broader waste industry was responsible for 110.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent. The waste sector ranks as one of the highest reporting contributors of GHGs. And although Municipal landfills comprised roughly 82.5% of reported waste sector emissions, material recovery facilities (MRFs) and organic processing facilities are still significant contributors of GHGs that make up the emissions from the entire waste management sector. 

Emissions associated with the operations of landfills, MRFs and organic processing facilities can and should be reduced wherever possible. One of the major GHG contributing factors within MRF operations is transportation of materials to and from the facilities, which is why this credit emphasizes and rewards the procurement of energy efficient or alternative fueled mobile equipment and collection vehicles. This credit also rewards policies that reduce idle time of collection vehicles at the facility to reduce emissions. 

How to Meet the Requirements

To meet this requirement, Local Governments and Industry Leaders must demonstrate, on a percentage basis, the use of renewable or low-emission fuels in the vehicles/mobile equipment used on-site. The percentage of renewable or alternative fuel use can be determined on the basis of either the fraction of the vehicle/mobile equipment fleet or the fraction of annual miles traveled, or total fuel consumed. Documentation proving that use of these vehicles falls under the two categories listed in the “requirements” section must be provided. 

Required Documentation

Case Studies & In-Depth Information

A recent study, conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy, showed that 71% of national petroleum use and 33% of national carbon emissions comes from transportation. By introducing energy-efficient vehicles, we could simultaneously reduce petroleum consumption as well as greenhouse gas emissions. To combat this issue, the DOE introduced a TEF (transportation energy futures) project. A big piece of this project was educating the general public about the true cost of using gas powered vehicles and providing the foundation for the public to seek out more environmentally friendly options. With 45% of the vehicles in the US being non-LDVs (non light duty vehicles); buses, trains, planes, etc., reconstructing the way they power these vehicles will have a significant impact on petroleum use as well as GHG emissions. Since the demand for these services is expected to increase over the next few decades, the need for alternative fueling options is more important than ever. 

Referenced Standards

Definitions

Alternative Fuel 

Electric equipment, diesel hybrid vehicles, gas waste, and liquid fuels derived from solid waste. 

Diesel Hybrids

A machine having an electric motor powered directly by a diesel-driven generator or by the batteries it charges.

Digester Methane

Sample SWEEP Definition: Methane produced as a result of anaerobic digestion

Landfill Methane 

EPA Definition: a natural byproduct of the decomposition of organic material in landfills 

Low-carbon Fuel 

Electric equipment, diesel hybrid vehicles, gas waste, and liquid fuels derived from solid waste. 

Renewable Fuel 

Electric equipment, diesel hybrid vehicles, gas waste, and liquid fuels derived from solid waste.