A Public Health–Oriented Assessment of Renewable Energy Opportunities and Threats at a Municipal Waste Disposal Site: A SWOT Analysis (Karaj Landfill, Iran)

Jalali, Fariba; Jadidi, Mahnaz; Mosayyebi, Mohammad; Mansouri, Armita; Atash Zaban, Zeinab

doi:https://doi.org/10.61186/hsm.4.4.324

Volume 4, Issue 4 (November 2025) Health Science Monitor 2025, 4(4): 324-330 | Back to browse issues page

‎ https://doi.org/10.61186/hsm.4.4.324

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Jalali F, Jadidi M, Mosayyebi M, Mansouri A, Atash Zaban Z. A Public Health–Oriented Assessment of Renewable Energy Opportunities and Threats at a Municipal Waste Disposal Site: A SWOT Analysis (Karaj Landfill, Iran). Health Science Monitor 2025; 4 (4) :324-330
URL: http://hsm.umsu.ac.ir/article-1-270-en.html

A Public Health–Oriented Assessment of Renewable Energy Opportunities and Threats at a Municipal Waste Disposal Site: A SWOT Analysis (Karaj Landfill, Iran)

Fariba Jalali

, Mahnaz Jadidi ^*

, Mohammad Mosayyebi

, Armita Mansouri

, Zeinab Atash Zaban

Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: (52 Views)

Background Waste disposal sites create serious health problems through air pollution and greenhouse gases, but they also offer good chances for clean energy production that can improve community health. This research looked at the good points, bad points, opportunities and threats of using renewable energy at Karaj's Halghe Darreh landfill site, focusing on landfill gas and solar power projects.
Methods We used a combination of number-based calculations and qualitative SWOT analysis. Landfill gas potential was calculated using the standard LandGEM model, while solar power estimates used common yield equations. Data came from official reports of Karaj Waste Management from January to June 2023, plus relevant policy documents and regulations.
Results The landfill receives about 550 tons of waste daily. Landfill gas could produce around 41,917 MWh of electricity yearly (about 114.84 MWh daily), enough for 35,000 homes while cutting methane emissions equal to 1.2 million tons of CO₂ yearly. Solar power on 50 hectares of closed landfill areas might generate nearly 14,000 MWh per year. Good factors include existing gas systems, legal support through power agreements, location near power grid, and institutional backing. Main problems are high costs (150-200 billion tomans), dust reducing solar panel efficiency by 25-30%, unstable policies, and land use conflicts.
Conclusion The Halghe Darreh landfill can successfully develop renewable energy with important health benefits. Immediate steps should include small-scale landfill gas projects to cut methane and improve air quality, then solar farms on unused landfill areas, using public-private partnerships to handle costs. This approach can turn the landfill into a resource recovery site that improves energy supply, reduces health risks, and offers a model for other Iranian cities.

Keywords: Environmental health, Landfill pollutant, Public health, Sustainable development, Waste management

Full-Text [PDF 369 kb] (33 Downloads)

Type of Study: Research Article | Subject: Environmental and Occupational Health
Received: 2025/10/11 | Accepted: 2025/11/10 | Published: 2025/11/19

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