Usually, 100 years of decomposing % of organics considered in LCA models. During the process, both methane and CO2 emission is calculated based on benchmark data from the past. Since these are the averages of averages, sometimes they are not relevant to your case.

Thank you Robert Radics, I see you mean the 100 year horizon for CO2e, and I presume you mean the carbon footprint. I think I can calculate that, yet my question remains: is the impact category (climate change) equivalent to an emission factor for a solid waste scenario (landfilling, recycling, or whatever)?

Hola Liliana

If has been calculate the composition of C,H,O,N of the solid waste and in addition was take into account the quantity, density, and other parameters of the characterization you would attain a estimation of CO2 released in basis to the approximate chemical formula of the waste. However, if you pretend calculate equivalent emission of CO2 only is necessary the estimation of different components (organic waste, wood, plastics, glass, etc). You should known that each component have a different carbon footprint.

I recommend the book: Textbook of Solid wastes Management by Iqbal Khan & Naved Ahsan. CBS Publishers, New Delhi. 

Regards,

José

Normally emission factors are for single emissions or compounds such as g NOx/MJ or mg Cd/kg waste. If emissions factors use the unit CO2e it means that all emissions contributing to global warming such as CO2, CH4, N2O and such are included. The equivalents are derived from an impact assessment method. There are several to choose from within different LCA methods, but for GWP factors from IPCC are frequently used. Emissions factors related to single waste fractions must be based on a treatment scenario comprising Collection, transport, treatment and offsetting of Products such as biogas, heat, electricity, fertiliser and such.