Methane (CH4) released from solid waste landfill has been identified as a significant contributor
to greenhouse gas emission in waste sector, which contributes to global warming. This study
aimed to characterize new and age-defined solid waste disposed in Savannakhet landfill site. The
obtained laboratory data of solid waste characteristics were used to estimate site specific emission
factors, including methane generation potential (L0) and methane generation rate constant (k).
The results showed that organic carbon fraction and methane generation potential (L0) of the
waste decreased as elapsed time of landfill increased. The methane generation rate constant (k)
of bulk waste was 0.155 yr-1, while the k values of different components were varied depending
on waste composition. The k values for paper, textile, wood, garden, and food were 0.069, 0.098,
0.088, 0.229, and 0.204 yr-1, respectively. Methane emissions from landfill were calculated based
on FOD method, using default and site specific values, by three models including 2000 GPG, 2006
IPCC, and LandGEM models. The results using default values showed that methane emission in
the year 2016 estimated by 2000 GPG and LandGEM provided similar trends of CH4 emission
which were higher than those estimated by 2006 IPCC. Methane emissions from Savannakhet
landfill site in 2016 using default values by 2000 GPG, 2006 IPCC, and LandGEM were 0.92, 0.53,
and 1.00 Gg CH4, respectively. Methane emissions using site specific values were less than those
using default values, which were 0.65, 0.41, and 0.82 Gg CH4, when estimated by 2000 GPG, 2006
IPCC, and LandGEM, respectively.