Transportation Emissions

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Transportation of waste and shavings emission reduction
The emissions produced by a 52-foot truck and trailer (typically considered a combination of a tractor unit and a semi-trailer) depend on several factors. However, we can provide an estimate based on average data for diesel-powered heavy-duty trucks.

Fuel Consumption:

A typical fuel economy for a 52-foot truck and trailer is about 6 miles per gallon (mpg).

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions:

Diesel fuel produces about 22.44 pounds of CO2 per gallon burned. CO2 emissions per mile≈3.74 pounds of CO2 per mile

Summary Emissions

    • Methane (CH4) emissions: Approximately 0.0065 grams per mile for a typical 52-foot truck and trailer.
    • CO2 emissions: Approximately 3.74 pounds per mile.
    • NOx emissions: Approximately 0.2 grams per mile.
    • PM emissions: Approximately 0.01 grams per mile.
    • CO emissions: Approximately 0.1 grams per mile.
    • Nitrogen oxides (NOx): A typical diesel truck emits about 0.2 grams of NOx per mile.
    • Particulate matter (PM): Diesel trucks emit about 0.01 grams of PM per mile.
    • Carbon monoxide (CO): Diesel trucks emit about 0.1 grams of CO per mile.

35,000 tons of waste @ 20 tons per truck = 1,750 trucks per year disposal, and with 800,000 bags sold back at 1000 bags per truckload = 800 trucks

We will use small numbers, 150 km round trip or 95 miles when hauling waste from the farm to the disposal site. We will use a 500 km round trip or 310 miles to deliver bedding from the manufacturer to the distributor to the farm or feed store. Therefore:

Hauling waste emission savings

Ch4 0.0065 / mile is 0.0065*95*1750= 1080 grams per year

Bedding delivery emission savings

Ch4 0.0065 / mile is 0.0065*310*800= 1612 grams per year

Hauling waste emission savings

CO2 3.74 pounds per mile is 3.74*95*1750= 62,1775 lbs per year

Bedding delivery emission savings

CO2 3.74 pounds per mile is 3.74*310*800= 927,520 lbs per year

 

Conclusion

Relative to major sources like horse waste CH4 emissions, 1080 grams of methane is not a large quantity. However, given methane's high GWP, even this amount can contribute significantly to greenhouse gas effects compared to CO2. Thus, reducing methane emissions is important for addressing climate change.