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The waste sector is considered in the model as providing carbon storage. This phenomenon is <br />explained by the multiplication effect of methane and the long-term capture and storage, or <br />sequestration, of a portion of the total waste. Organic matter that decomposes without oxygen, or <br />anaerobically, will form methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent than COIf the <br />2. <br />methane is not captured or burned, landfills are net sources of greenhouse gas emissions. <br />However, up to 80% (based on OR DEQ figures) of the methane formed at the Short Mountain <br />site is captured and burned to produce energy, which converts it back to the less potent CO The <br />2. <br />net result is that a little bit more carbon equivalent is buried and trapped in the landfill than is <br />added to the atmosphere. <br />This does not mean that creating additional garbage is part of the solution. It does underscore the <br />fact that the capture and use of methane is a very effective strategy that is already in place, and <br />needs to be maintained or expanded. Also, this model of estimating greenhouse gas emissions <br />does not recognize the benefits of recycling. Recycling both reduces the total amount of solid <br />waste and reduces the “upstream” production of greenhouse gas emissions related to goods and <br />materials manufactured outside of Eugene. As this inventory captures only energy generated or <br />consumed directly by the community, the role of recycling as an emissions reduction strategy <br />needs to be evaluated in other ways. <br />While total GHG emissions are projected to increase, the emissions from some activity sectors <br />will increase faster than others. The relative impact of the transportation sector has decreased <br />from 1990 to 2005 in spite of continued growth in vehicle miles traveled (VMT). This trend is <br />expected to continue through 2020. Residential and commercial sector emissions impacts have <br />increased, in relation to those from transportation, primarily due to the continued fuel-switching <br />from electric to natural gas for heating. The following graphs (Figure 4) show the relative <br />contribution of the five economic sectors to community greenhouse gas emissions over the <br />thirty-year period. <br />Figure 4 – Eugene Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions, 1990, 2005 and Projected 2020 <br />1990EugeneGHGEmissions <br />2005EugeneGHGEmissions <br />Waste <br />Waste <br />0% <br />0% <br />Residential <br />Residential <br />20% <br />22% <br />Commercial <br />13% <br />Transportation <br />Transportation <br />Commercial <br />51% <br />58% <br />17% <br />Industrial <br />9% <br />Industrial <br />10% <br />6 <br />