Trends in greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions from the waste sector have been accounted for since 1990.
Greenhouse gas emission trends in the waste sector
The trend of greenhouse gas emissions from waste management has remained relatively stable throughout the monitored period since 1990. Methane (CH₄) is the dominant gas, accounting for more than 90% of total emissions in this sector, followed by nitrous oxide (N₂O) with roughly an 8% share. Most emissions originate from landfilling, followed by wastewater.
Since 1990, methane emissions have increased by more than 100% due to the cumulative methodology applied in the solid waste disposal category. A similar, though less pronounced, trend is expected in the coming years. The volume of landfill emissions strongly depends on the implementation of landfill gas capture and utilisation.
Total greenhouse gas emissions
CH4 emission trend
Landfilling of waste is a significant source of methane emissions, which is released in the form of landfill gas. Since very few landfills in Slovakia have a well-developed system for capturing and utilizing landfill gas, it is released directly into the atmosphere. Methane also escapes from closed landfills, from waste layers deposited up to approximately 30 years ago; therefore, it is crucial to prevent landfilling. Methane from category 5.A – solid waste disposal sites shows a year-on-year increasing trend due to the cumulative approach used for its calculation.
N2O emission trend
Wastewater treatment is a significant source of N₂O emissions. Due to improvements in technological processes, its production is decreasing year-on-year. Other waste management methods, such as incineration and composting, produce only negligible amounts of methane or nitrous oxide.
Air pollutant emission trends in the waste sector
The most common waste-disposal methods are landfilling and, to a lesser extent, incineration. As landfill waste decomposes, non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) and methane are released. Handling of waste generates particulate matter (PM) emissions.
This sector also includes cremation of human and animal remains, which emits heavy metals and POPs. Wastewater management likewise leads to releases of pollutants and greenhouse gases (CH₄ and N₂O). In general, emissions of POPs as well as NMVOCs, CO and NH₃ occur in wastewater treatment plants, but the quantities are mostly negligible.
The most significant drop in cadmium emissions occurred in 2003 and 2007, when municipal waste incinerators introduced newer, cleaner technologies. A notable decline in PCDD/PCDF emissions in the waste sector occurred in 2006.
The main source of NOₓ, SOₓ, PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, TSP, BC, CO and NMVOC emissions is open waste burning, with forest residue burning contributing significantly. This category also caused an increase in emissions across the entire time series.
Total pollutant emissions
NOx, NMVOC, CO and particulate matter emission trends
The main source of emissions is open waste burning, with a significant share coming from the burning of forest residues. This category is also responsible for the increase in emissions across the entire time series. Carbon monoxide emissions are also generated during biological waste treatment, specifically composting.
NOx, NMVOC, CO and particulate matter emission trends
The main source of emissions is open waste burning, with a significant share coming from the burning of forest residues. This category is also responsible for the increase in emissions across the entire time series. Carbon monoxide emissions are also generated during biological waste treatment, specifically composting.
NOx, NMVOC, CO and particulate matter emission trends
The main source of emissions is open waste burning, with a significant share coming from the burning of forest residues. This category is also responsible for the increase in emissions across the entire time series. Carbon monoxide emissions are also generated during biological waste treatment, specifically composting.
NOx, NMVOC, CO and particulate matter emission trends
The main source of emissions is open waste burning, with a significant share coming from the burning of forest residues. This category is also responsible for the increase in emissions across the entire time series. Carbon monoxide emissions are also generated during biological waste treatment, specifically composting.
NOx, NMVOC, CO and particulate matter emission trends
The main source of emissions is open waste burning, with a significant share coming from the burning of forest residues. This category is also responsible for the increase in emissions across the entire time series. Carbon monoxide emissions are also generated during biological waste treatment, specifically composting.
NOx, NMVOC, CO and particulate matter emission trends
The main source of emissions is open waste burning, with a significant share coming from the burning of forest residues. This category is also responsible for the increase in emissions across the entire time series. Carbon monoxide emissions are also generated during biological waste treatment, specifically composting.
NOx, NMVOC, CO and particulate matter emission trends
The main source of emissions is open waste burning, with a significant share coming from the burning of forest residues. This category is also responsible for the increase in emissions across the entire time series. Carbon monoxide emissions are also generated during biological waste treatment, specifically composting.
SOx emission trend
The main source of emissions is hazardous waste incineration. The increase in emissions during the period 2002–2005 is related to the rise in emissions from this category. This category also caused an overall increase in emissions across the entire time series.
NH3 emission trend
Ammonia emissions in the waste sector arise from the biological treatment of waste, which includes composting and anaerobic digestion in biogas plants. The increase in ammonia emissions is related to the growing activity of biological waste treatment.
Heavy metals emission trends
Heavy metal emissions are released into the air during waste incineration. Since 1990, emissions have decreased due to the introduction of modern technologies with separators that effectively capture these substances, although this was not common practice in the past. The increase in emissions of As, Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn is due to increased activity in hazardous waste incineration and open burning of waste, including the burning of forest residues.
Heavy metals emission trends
Heavy metal emissions are released into the air during waste incineration. Since 1990, emissions have decreased due to the introduction of modern technologies with separators that effectively capture these substances, although this was not common practice in the past. The increase in emissions of As, Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn is due to increased activity in hazardous waste incineration and open burning of waste, including the burning of forest residues.
Heavy metals emission trends
Heavy metal emissions are released into the air during waste incineration. Since 1990, emissions have decreased due to the introduction of modern technologies with separators that effectively capture these substances, although this was not common practice in the past. The increase in emissions of As, Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn is due to increased activity in hazardous waste incineration and open burning of waste, including the burning of forest residues.
Heavy metals emission trends
Heavy metal emissions are released into the air during waste incineration. Since 1990, emissions have decreased due to the introduction of modern technologies with separators that effectively capture these substances, although this was not common practice in the past. The increase in emissions of As, Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn is due to increased activity in hazardous waste incineration and open burning of waste, including the burning of forest residues.
Heavy metals emission trends
Heavy metal emissions are released into the air during waste incineration. Since 1990, emissions have decreased due to the introduction of modern technologies with separators that effectively capture these substances, although this was not common practice in the past. The increase in emissions of As, Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn is due to increased activity in hazardous waste incineration and open burning of waste, including the burning of forest residues.
Heavy metals emission trends
Heavy metal emissions are released into the air during waste incineration. Since 1990, emissions have decreased due to the introduction of modern technologies with separators that effectively capture these substances, although this was not common practice in the past. The increase in emissions of As, Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn is due to increased activity in hazardous waste incineration and open burning of waste, including the burning of forest residues.
Heavy metals emission trends
Heavy metal emissions are released into the air during waste incineration. Since 1990, emissions have decreased due to the introduction of modern technologies with separators that effectively capture these substances, although this was not common practice in the past. The increase in emissions of As, Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn is due to increased activity in hazardous waste incineration and open burning of waste, including the burning of forest residues.
Heavy metals emission trends
Heavy metal emissions are released into the air during waste incineration. Since 1990, emissions have decreased due to the introduction of modern technologies with separators that effectively capture these substances, although this was not common practice in the past. The increase in emissions of As, Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn is due to increased activity in hazardous waste incineration and open burning of waste, including the burning of forest residues.
Heavy metals emission trends
Heavy metal emissions are released into the air during waste incineration. Since 1990, emissions have decreased due to the introduction of modern technologies with separators that effectively capture these substances, although this was not common practice in the past. The increase in emissions of As, Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn is due to increased activity in hazardous waste incineration and open burning of waste, including the burning of forest residues.
POPs emission trends
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) include polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are further divided into benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P], benzo(b)fluoranthene [B(b)F], benzo(k)fluoranthene [B(k)F], and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene [I()P]. POPs also include hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Emissions of dioxins and furans in the waste sector have shown a declining trend, with more significant decreases observed in 2003, 2006, and 2012. This development is linked to stricter legislation, the introduction of more advanced municipal waste incineration technologies, and tighter emission limits for clinical waste incineration.
The main source of emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is open waste burning, with forest residue burning being the dominant activity within this category; the increase in PAH emissions is therefore related to the rise in this activity.
The primary source of HCB emissions in the waste sector is hazardous waste incineration, so the fluctuating trend of HCB emissions corresponds to the variable rate of hazardous waste burning.
The main source of PCB emissions in the waste sector is industrial waste incineration, which explains the increase in emissions observed in 2002, corresponding to an increase in this activity.
POPs emission trends
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) include polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are further divided into benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P], benzo(b)fluoranthene [B(b)F], benzo(k)fluoranthene [B(k)F], and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene [I()P]. POPs also include hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Emissions of dioxins and furans in the waste sector have shown a declining trend, with more significant decreases observed in 2003, 2006, and 2012. This development is linked to stricter legislation, the introduction of more advanced municipal waste incineration technologies, and tighter emission limits for clinical waste incineration.
The main source of emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is open waste burning, with forest residue burning being the dominant activity within this category; the increase in PAH emissions is therefore related to the rise in this activity.
The primary source of HCB emissions in the waste sector is hazardous waste incineration, so the fluctuating trend of HCB emissions corresponds to the variable rate of hazardous waste burning.
The main source of PCB emissions in the waste sector is industrial waste incineration, which explains the increase in emissions observed in 2002, corresponding to an increase in this activity.
POPs emission trends
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) include polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are further divided into benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P], benzo(b)fluoranthene [B(b)F], benzo(k)fluoranthene [B(k)F], and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene [I()P]. POPs also include hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Emissions of dioxins and furans in the waste sector have shown a declining trend, with more significant decreases observed in 2003, 2006, and 2012. This development is linked to stricter legislation, the introduction of more advanced municipal waste incineration technologies, and tighter emission limits for clinical waste incineration.
The main source of emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is open waste burning, with forest residue burning being the dominant activity within this category; the increase in PAH emissions is therefore related to the rise in this activity.
The primary source of HCB emissions in the waste sector is hazardous waste incineration, so the fluctuating trend of HCB emissions corresponds to the variable rate of hazardous waste burning.
The main source of PCB emissions in the waste sector is industrial waste incineration, which explains the increase in emissions observed in 2002, corresponding to an increase in this activity.
POPs emission trends
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) include polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are further divided into benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P], benzo(b)fluoranthene [B(b)F], benzo(k)fluoranthene [B(k)F], and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene [I()P]. POPs also include hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Emissions of dioxins and furans in the waste sector have shown a declining trend, with more significant decreases observed in 2003, 2006, and 2012. This development is linked to stricter legislation, the introduction of more advanced municipal waste incineration technologies, and tighter emission limits for clinical waste incineration.
The main source of emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is open waste burning, with forest residue burning being the dominant activity within this category; the increase in PAH emissions is therefore related to the rise in this activity.
The primary source of HCB emissions in the waste sector is hazardous waste incineration, so the fluctuating trend of HCB emissions corresponds to the variable rate of hazardous waste burning.
The main source of PCB emissions in the waste sector is industrial waste incineration, which explains the increase in emissions observed in 2002, corresponding to an increase in this activity.
POPs emission trends
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) include polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are further divided into benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P], benzo(b)fluoranthene [B(b)F], benzo(k)fluoranthene [B(k)F], and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene [I()P]. POPs also include hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Emissions of dioxins and furans in the waste sector have shown a declining trend, with more significant decreases observed in 2003, 2006, and 2012. This development is linked to stricter legislation, the introduction of more advanced municipal waste incineration technologies, and tighter emission limits for clinical waste incineration.
The main source of emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is open waste burning, with forest residue burning being the dominant activity within this category; the increase in PAH emissions is therefore related to the rise in this activity.
The primary source of HCB emissions in the waste sector is hazardous waste incineration, so the fluctuating trend of HCB emissions corresponds to the variable rate of hazardous waste burning.
The main source of PCB emissions in the waste sector is industrial waste incineration, which explains the increase in emissions observed in 2002, corresponding to an increase in this activity.
POPs emission trends
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) include polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are further divided into benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P], benzo(b)fluoranthene [B(b)F], benzo(k)fluoranthene [B(k)F], and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene [I()P]. POPs also include hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Emissions of dioxins and furans in the waste sector have shown a declining trend, with more significant decreases observed in 2003, 2006, and 2012. This development is linked to stricter legislation, the introduction of more advanced municipal waste incineration technologies, and tighter emission limits for clinical waste incineration.
The main source of emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is open waste burning, with forest residue burning being the dominant activity within this category; the increase in PAH emissions is therefore related to the rise in this activity.
The primary source of HCB emissions in the waste sector is hazardous waste incineration, so the fluctuating trend of HCB emissions corresponds to the variable rate of hazardous waste burning.
The main source of PCB emissions in the waste sector is industrial waste incineration, which explains the increase in emissions observed in 2002, corresponding to an increase in this activity.
POPs emission trends
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) include polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are further divided into benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P], benzo(b)fluoranthene [B(b)F], benzo(k)fluoranthene [B(k)F], and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene [I()P]. POPs also include hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Emissions of dioxins and furans in the waste sector have shown a declining trend, with more significant decreases observed in 2003, 2006, and 2012. This development is linked to stricter legislation, the introduction of more advanced municipal waste incineration technologies, and tighter emission limits for clinical waste incineration.
The main source of emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is open waste burning, with forest residue burning being the dominant activity within this category; the increase in PAH emissions is therefore related to the rise in this activity.
The primary source of HCB emissions in the waste sector is hazardous waste incineration, so the fluctuating trend of HCB emissions corresponds to the variable rate of hazardous waste burning.
The main source of PCB emissions in the waste sector is industrial waste incineration, which explains the increase in emissions observed in 2002, corresponding to an increase in this activity.
Emission trends by waste management methods
The most common waste disposal methods are landfilling and, to a lesser extent, incineration. When waste decomposes in landfills, non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) and methane are released into the air, and handling of the waste generates particulate matter (PM) emissions.
Incineration is the second most frequent method of waste treatment in Slovakia. In the past, the energy potential of waste was rarely utilized, and waste was simply disposed of. Modern facilities now use waste as fuel for energy production or in industrial processes, thereby recovering value from the waste. Emissions generated during incineration in these cases are accounted for in the energy sector. Historically, waste incineration contributed significantly to dioxin and furan (PCDD/PCDF) emissions. Significant reductions occurred in 2003 and 2005, primarily due to technological improvements in municipal waste incineration for energy recovery. Emissions further decreased in 2012 following stricter emission limits for clinical waste incineration. Waste incineration also contributed to heavy metal emissions in the past, but modern facilities now effectively capture these substances.
Recycling is not the only sustainable method of waste recovery. Composting of organic waste, such as food and garden waste, is another option. Organic waste decomposes over several weeks into mulch, which can be used as a soil fertilizer. Many households practice small-scale composting, and large-scale composting systems are being developed to collect organic waste from parks and urban areas. Similar types of organic waste can also be processed in biogas plants. Unlike composting, anaerobic digestion occurs without air, producing biogas that can be burned to generate energy for heating. Biological waste treatment produces ammonia emissions.
Wastewater treatment is an important source of N₂O emissions. Due to improvements in technology, its production has been decreasing year by year.