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This paper examines Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management with a high organic matter content employing the Waste and Resource Assessment Tool for the Environment (WRATE) and the Ecoinvent database, by conducting a Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA). Four scenarios, aligned with Algeria's National Waste Management Strategy, are analyzed as case studies. LCA results identify the baseline scenario (current state) as the worst case. Significant improvements (84% reduction in climate change impact) are observed for scenario 2 to 4, which incorporate methane capture and energy recovery. Likewise, acidification potential was reduced, while eutrophication balanced positively for scenario 1 to 3 and negatively for scenario 4, promoting sustainable practices. This study proposes an optimal solution where the MSW service covers the charges and starts generating profit by shifting from a flat rate of 2000 Algerian Dinars (DZD) per household per year to 1% of household income. This change aims for at least 41% cost recovery from citizens at the national level, with minimum recovery targets for composting (50%), recycling (25%), and efficient landfilling (15%), alongside 20% energy recovery. To align with the Waste Hierarchy priorities, the Algerian government should gradually restrict organic waste landfilling (54% of MSW) and promote composting. Additionally, Algeria should establish regulations to encourage recycling programs, such as implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations and setting recycling targets for various waste streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to quantitatively assess the environmental impacts of different methods used for treating excavated soil and rock (ESR) in Shenzhen, namely landfilling, sintering, and non-sintering, using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method. The findings indicate that recycling ESR through sintering or non-sintering processes offers more sustainable alternatives than landfilling. The recycled products derived from ESR can effectively replace traditional building materials, thereby reducing their environmental impacts. However, when comparing the environmental impacts of sintering and non-sintering processes, the latter demonstrated more significant impacts, particularly in terms of global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), and eutrophication potential (EP). Furthermore, it is worth noting that the environmental impacts of the sintering processes are influenced by fuel type and exhaust gas emissions, with natural gas combustion yielding more substantial overall environmental benefits. Moreover, ESR landfilling poses constraints on sustainable development and land resource occupation. This study contributes to a better understanding of the environmental impacts associated with ESR landfilling and recycling, provides management departments with optimal ESR management suggestions, and alleviates environmental pressure from urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Landfilling can result in a loss in revenue that would otherwise have been accrued from recycling plastic waste, loss in potential jobs, and groundwater contamination. Plastics in landfills may also eventually find their way into marine environments, where they can be damaging to animals. This work aims to establish the environmental sustainability of current plastic waste management practices in South Africa using the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) as a case study. Methodology: Five scenarios encompassing combinations of landfilling, mechanical recycling, incineration with energy recovery, gasification, and use of plastic waste in a cement kiln were assessed through an environmental Life Cycle Assessment (e-LCA). Scenarios were developed based on an extensive literature review, current practices in South Africa and Europe, and the country's National Waste Management strategy, which aims to achieve "zero waste to landfill". SimaPro 9.1.1 software and the Ecoinvent Database were used to assess the life cycle impacts of each scenario over seven impact categories. The ReCiPe endpoint method, Egalitarian version, was employed in determining the impact potentials. A sensitivity analysis was also carried out to evaluate the model's robustness. Results and discussion: Overall, the impact assessment results, including damage assessments and single score results, revealed that moving away from landfilling and combining mechanical recycling, incineration, gasification, and use of plastic waste (PW) as solid refuse fuel in a cement kiln is the least environmentally impactful scenario when managing plastic waste. Landfilling alone was the worst-performing scenario, resulting in adverse effects on human health, ecosystems, and resource depletion. This agrees with the waste hierarchy. On sensitivity analysis, the increase in transportation distances and reduction in market substitution factor in mechanical recycling did not change the ranking of scenarios despite reducing the net benefits to the environment. Including open dumping as an end-of-life scenario significantly increased the negative impact of the current plastic waste management scenario being practised in South Africa, while assuming a 100% mechanical recycling rate had the least environmental impact when compared to the other modelled scenarios. Conclusions: The current plastic waste management practices in South Africa were found to be environmentally unsustainable based on the modelled scenarios, and a move away from landfilling is encouraged. The outcomes of this study will assist policymakers and other stakeholders in making informed decisions based on scientific evidence when formulating sustainability-related waste management policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is a major concern for Bangladesh, given its high population density and increasing waste production rate. Conventional waste management methods, such as landfilling, result in high carbon emissions for the environment. With over 70% of MSW being organic, hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) has emerged as a promising technology for recovering energy and nutrients from such heterogeneous waste streams. This study aimed to compare the environmental effects of HTC coupled with electricity generation (HTC-EG) from MSW with traditional landfilling using life cycle assessment in the context of Bangladesh. The HTC-EG scenario showed lower environmental impacts in three out of five impact categories, specifically reducing climate change, freshwater ecotoxicity, and photochemical ozone formation. For a functional unit of 6000-ton MSW, HTC-EG reduces the climate change impact by 7.7 × 106 kg CO 2 eq. Additionally, HTC-EG has 46.77% less impact on freshwater ecotoxicity compared to landfilling and reduces the photochemical ozone formation impact by 1.86 × 104 NMVOC eq. However, the HTC-EG scenario leads to increased particulate matter formation and marine water eutrophication due to SO 2 , SO 3 , and PM2.5 emissions during hydrochar combustion and nitrate release from the liquid stream of the HTC reactor, respectively. Addressing these challenges through appropriate post-processing of flue gas from hydrochar combustion and HTC liquid streams could make HTC-EG a viable alternative to landfilling for MSW management in Bangladesh. [Display omitted] • Landfilling and HTC with electricity generation (HTC-EG) compared for 1st time. • HTC-EG can reduce 7.7 × 106 kg CO 2 eq emission by avoiding landfilling. • HTC-EG can reduce the freshwater eco-toxicity by 46.77% compared to landfilling. • HTC-EG can increase particulate matter formation and marine water eutrophication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastics are often used in every industry today due to their light weight, durable and insulating materials. As a result of the widespread use of petroleum-based plastics, there is also an inevitable increase in the amount of waste. Therefore, it is important to determine the effects of plastics on the environment. In this study, the life cycle assessment of couplings, which are commonly used pipe fittings in irrigation and drinking water pipes, was investigated. The environmental effects of the production and disposal stages of the coupling were determined using the Eco-Indicator 99 method of SimaPro 8.0.2 software. At the end of the study, the highest environmental impact occurred during the production of the coupling (79.9%) and it was determined that the most important factor causing this was the use of polypropylene plastics (48.1%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A waste reform was recently introduced in Russia to divert waste from landfills. To help advance the reform, this paper presents a life cycle assessment of the municipal solid waste management system in Russia's second largest city—Saint Petersburg—and its neighboring Leningrad region. Five scenarios were evaluated: the current state of the system (S0), its expected post-reform state in 2024 (S1), and its state improved by increased landfill gas collection (S2), by increased waste incineration (S3), and by separate collection of waste (S4). The environmental impact was assessed in terms of climate change, acidification, eutrophication, and abiotic resource depletion (fossil fuels). The results showed an overall reduction in the environmental impact of the waste management system across all impact categories and all scenarios studied. The largest reduction in all impact categories (except abiotic resource depletion) was achieved through source separation of municipal solid waste. Particularly, global warming potential was reduced from 0.328 kg CO2-eq./kg waste generated in S0 to 0.010 kg CO2-eq./kg waste in S4. Regarding abiotic resource depletion potential (fossil fuels), the incineration scenario is the most beneficial, since it reduces the impact by 573%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Municipal solid waste management is a complex process involving many technological options. In this review, the effect of five different health systems was studied to assess the impacts of MSW landfilling and incineration according to three environmental health measures: global warming potential, acidification, and nutrient enrichment potentials. Further investigation was conducted to determine whether these differences changed our study approach regarding selecting the most appropriate management option. Content: Life cycle assessment was used to examine the environmental health impacts of all MSW management stages through four main phases: goal and scope, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. Results were similar for Brazil, China, Lebanon, and Iran where global warming potential, acidification, and nutrient enrichment potentials were higher for landfills than for incinerators. In Canada, landfills produced fewer emissions. Summary: Such work can be helpful to choose the best environmentally friendly municipal solid waste management option based on the standards in Saudi Arabia. These results indicate that national health standards and policies determine these technologies’ environmental health impacts.

• Recycling outperformed incineration in all impact categories analyzed. • Landfilling had lower net impacts than incineration scenarios for most categories. • Much work still needs to be done for successfully implementing PET recycling. • Promoting source-separation at home is essential for PET recycling success. This study analyzed the environmental impacts of nine scenarios for Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottle waste disposal, in the city of Bauru, Brazil. Nine scenarios were considered in this study: (1) current (base) scenario (96.4% of PET waste is sent to landfill, 3.6% is sent to sorting cooperatives); (2) 50% to sorting cooperatives, 50% to landfill; (3) 50% to sorting cooperatives, 50% to incineration; (4) 50% to landfill, 50% to incineration; (5) 100% to sorting cooperatives (keeping the current collection distribution); (6) 100% to landfill; (7) 100% to incineration; (8) and (9) 100% sent to sorting cooperatives, with changes in the collection scheme. Life cycle assessment was implemented to compute the impacts for each scenario and compare their environmental performances. The results have shown that recycling is a better option than incineration across all impact categories analyzed. Landfilling had lower net impacts than incineration in all categories, except for ozone depletion and freshwater eutrophication. All recycling scenarios proposed outperformed the current scenario in all impact categories. Even though recycling presents itself as an environmentally-promising alternative, much work still needs to be done for its successful implementation, such as promoting source-separation at home and improving the management strategies of recycling cooperatives, including additional funding and training to support an increased sorting capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contains a dataset and spreadsheet with the inventory, calculations and results for the Life Cycle Assessment of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottle waste management options in Bauru, Brazil. Data for the Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) was collected in situ at sorting cooperatives, through interviews with municipal authorities, and through literature review. Data analysis was performed using the SimaPro v8.0 software for assessment of environmental impacts, using the ReCiPe midpoint hierarchical method. The data and results contained in the spreadsheet are divided as follows: worksheet 1 provides a title page with the reference to this article; worksheet 2 provides the impact values for the impact categories considered; worksheet 3 presents the impact values for all collection and transportation fleets; worksheets 4 to 7 provide the impacts for each process and each stage (operation, emissions, and construction) for the case where: waste PET is disposed of in a landfill and the treated sludge is composted (worksheet 4); waste PET is incinerated (worksheet 5); waste PET is sent to sorting cooperatives and the reject is landfilled (worksheet 6); waste PET is sent to sorting cooperatives and the reject is incinerated (worksheet 7); worksheets 8 to 16 contain the impacts for each stage and the total impact for scenarios 1 to 9, which are combinations of the processes presented in worksheets 4 to 7, and the collection and transportation calculations for each scenario; worksheet 17 presents a summary of the net impact and the impact for each stage for all scenarios and all impact categories considered; worksheet 18 contains the impacts for each process and each stage for the case where waste PET is disposed of in a landfill, and the treated sludge is landfilled. The data in this paper are suitable for waste management researchers and professionals.

A waste reform was recently introduced in Russia to divert waste from landfills. To help advance the reform, this paper presents a life cycle assessment of the municipal solid waste management system in Russia’s second largest city—Saint Petersburg—and its neighboring Leningrad region. Five scenarios were evaluated: the current state of the system (S0), its expected post-reform state in 2024 (S1), and its state improved by increased landfill gas collection (S2), by increased waste incineration (S3), and by separate collection of waste (S4). The environmental impact was assessed in terms of climate change, acidification, eutrophication, and abiotic resource depletion (fossil fuels). The results showed an overall reduction in the environmental impact of the waste management system across all impact categories and all scenarios studied. The largest reduction in all impact categories (except abiotic resource depletion) was achieved through source separation of municipal solid waste. Particularly, global warming potential was reduced from 0.328 kg CO2-eq./kg waste generated in S0 to 0.010 kg CO2-eq./kg waste in S4. Regarding abiotic resource depletion potential (fossil fuels), the incineration scenario is the most beneficial, since it reduces the impact by 573%.

The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from waste sector have drawn a lot of attention in the effort to achieve worldwide net-zero emissions. Current studies of GHG emissions from waste treatment are mostly calculations based on a specific spatiotemporal point or hypothetical scenario, but research on the timeline is insufficient. This study assesses and predicts the GHG emissions on the timeline as waste treatment technologies develop in Shanghai from 1991 to 2025 using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The findings demonstrate that GHG emission peaked in 2001 of 1490.48 Gg CO 2 -eq and reached net-zero in 2019 owing to the application of alternative technologies and waste segregation. The waste characteristics is the most sensitive parameter, emphasizing the significance of meticulously collecting local waste characteristics data. This study offers an approach for other nations or localities to use when researching the GHG emissions on the timeline of waste treatment systems. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to increasing solid waste generation and their significant impacts on human health, environmental assessment of the management and disposal methods become more and more important. There are various disposal methods which are the combinations that originate from a wide range of solid waste management systems. In this study, municipal waste of Tehran (which totals to 7507.5 tons/day) is assessed according to five suggested scenarios. Life cycle assessment method was applied to compare the selected scenarios to select the most efficient solid waste management scenario in Tehran. Hence, the Eco-indicator 99 is utilized as the impact assessment method. The effects are evaluated in three categories including; effects on human health (organic substances, inorganic substances, climate change, ionizing radiation and ozone layer depletion), ecosystem quality (ecotoxic emissions, the combination of acidification & eutrophication and double coating) and resources (extraction of minerals and the fossil fuels). According to the results, scenario one leads to the most damage to the environment especially on the human health, whereas scenario four has the most positive impacts compared to the others. However, scenarios two and three are unsuitable due to their negative effects on human health. Although, scenario five shows positive results on the resources but again it has negative impacts on human health and ecosystem quality. Moreover, the most appropriate strategy in terms of land usage and energy consumption, again is scenario four (landfilling plus recycling and composting) is chosen as the most proper strategy.

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the environmental impacts (EI) of the apple supply chain from the NE region, Romania and to calculate the EI from apple waste landfilling. The evaluation was performed by applying Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. In the first phase the apple supply chain was investigated and the environmental impacts were calculated and interpreted, while in the second phase the evaluation of apple waste landfilling was performed. The results showed that the apple production phase has the highest contribution to all the impact categories studied (acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), global warming potential (GWP), human toxicity potential (HTP) and photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP) etc.). Transportation and storage stages contribute mainly to POCP and GWP, while landfilling contributes especially to AP, GWP and POCP.

Growing technological development causes industrial products to be discontinued and consequently replaced with greater advancements. [...]

• Environmental impacts of EOL treatments were assessed based on the components and treatment pattern of waste plastics. • EOL treatments of waste plastics bring environmental benefits to China. • Mechanical recycling plays the most beneficial role in EOL treatments. • Scenarios are set to analyze the potential reduction of environmental impacts for waste plastics. As the world's largest producer and consumer of plastics, China is also the largest producer and recycler of waste plastics. It is necessary to explore the environmental impacts of actual end-of-life (EOL) treatments of waste plastics in China. In this study, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to evaluate the environmental impacts of mechanical recycling of waste plastics as well as incineration and landfilling with municipal solid waste in China. The results indicate the environmental benefits of current EOL treatments of waste plastics in China. Mechanical recycling was a negative and decisive contributor, with a minimum impact on terrestrial acidification potential (-83.4%) and a maximum impact on global warming potential (-165.8%). Incineration had negative contributions to 8 of the 12 environmental indicators, and landfilling was a positive contributor to all environmental impacts. Scenarios of treatment pattern, recycling technologies and import policy were set to analyze the potential reduction in environmental impacts of future EOL treatments of waste plastics. Increasing the proportion of mechanical recycling would reduce all environmental impacts, including up to 51.8% on particulate matter formation potential. Energy conservation and emission reduction in atmospheric pollutants would effectively reduce the environmental impacts of mechanical recycling. Banning waste plastics imports would decrease the transportation distances of waste plastics, thereby reducing the related environmental impacts, most notably a reduction of 84.8% for marine ecotoxicity potential. This study provides robust references for waste plastics management in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The majority of household food waste in the EU is sent to landfill or incinerated; a slowly-increasing fraction is collected separately and utilised for anaerobic digestion (AD) or in-vessel composting (IVC). This study evaluates life cycle environmental impacts of these four options to identify the most sustainable alternatives. The results are compared to waste prevention, inclusive of upstream supply-chain impacts. The results suggest that AD has the lowest, net-negative carbon footprint of –40 kg CO 2 eq. per tonne of waste treated and the highest life cycle energy recovery efficiency of 12% with respect to the total primary energy recovered. If all of the heat can be utilised, then both AD and incineration can achieve maximum energy recovery efficiencies of around 25%. Waste landfilling has the highest carbon footprint at 193 kg CO 2 eq./t and a recovery efficiency of 3% through the combustion of landfill gas. IVC, credited for the production of fertiliser, has a carbon footprint of 80 kg CO 2 eq./t and it has the lowest recovery efficiency at 1%. Under the best conditions, the greatest CO 2 eq. savings are achieved by the incineration of food waste, with a net-negative carbon footprint of –221 kg CO 2 eq./t. However, this is eclipsed by the 2,800–3,100 t CO 2 eq. that can be avoided by preventing the avoidable and potentially avoidable food waste. Thus, while unavoidable food waste may be best treated via AD or incineration, the savings are negligible compared to the benefits of waste prevention. Therefore, food waste may be used within a circular economy to reclaim a limited amount of resources, but it should not be considered an alternative to prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study evaluates the energy use, exergy demand and the main hot spots of two municipal solid waste (MSW) management scenarios including landfilling (100% landfilling) and composting-landfilling (48% composting, 50.5% landfilling, 1.5% recycling), available in Rasht, Iran. The functional unit was defined as 100 t MSW. The system boundaries encompassed activities ranging from MSW collection in the city up to MSW burial in the landfill and delivery of compost and recyclable materials to the market. For quantifying the environmental impacts, 11 impact categories were analyzed using life cycle assessment methodology, and the outcomes of characterization and normalization of impact categories were interpreted. The results showed that total energy consumption for composting-landfilling was greater than that of landfilling (22.5 vs. 17.5 GJ/100tMSW). Composting-landfilling scenario showed avoided environmental emissions in the forms of abiotic depletion, terrestrial ecotoxicity and freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity associated with the production of compost; moreover, global warming potential, human toxicity, marine aquatic ecotoxicity, photochemical oxidation and acidification of landfilling scenario were found to be higher than those of composting-landfilling scenario by 495%, 239%, 49%, 679% and 669%, respectively. On the other hand, composting-landfilling scenario had higher fossil fuels abiotic depletion, ozone layer depletion and eutrophication potential. Transportation accounted for the highest contribution to overall environmental emissions in both of the investigated scenarios, demonstrating the importance of decreasing environmental burdens during this step. Overall, compared to landfilling scenario, the lower environmental burdens associated with composting-landfilling scenario make it more environmentally attractive. Highlights • Energy and environmental analyses of MSW management scenarios were conducted. • Energy use of composting-landfilling is greater than that of landfilling. • Composting-landfilling is more environmentally attractive than landfilling. • LCA results have high sensitivity on transportation, compost yield and fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landfill disposal has thus far been the predominant treatment method for municipal solid waste (MSW) throughout Brazil, including São Paulo city. Environmentally sustainable development of MSW management in São Paulo necessitates a stepwise reduction of landfilling. However, ever increasing MSW generation poses the challenge of managing increasing MSW volumes while simultaneously modernizing the MSW management system. In this study, the environmental impacts of the current MSW management system and future alternatives in the city were assessed by means of life cycle assessment (LCA) to determine a pathway towards more environmentally sustainable MSW management. The assessed impact categories were global warming, acidification and eutrophication potentials. Potential future alternatives included the stepwise reduction of landfilling by the introduction of composting, anaerobic digestion and mechanical-biological treatment (MBT). The results of the study indicated that the environmental impacts of MSW management in São Paulo can be most effectively diminished by anaerobic digestion of source separated organic waste and MBT of MSW, on condition that the produced refuse-derived fuel (RDF) is utilized in cement production as a substitute for coal. The other utilization option for RDF, incineration, would increase the environmental impacts of MSW management due to the low amount of avoided emissions resulting from electricity substitution since average electricity production in Brazil is dominated by hydropower. Sensitivity analyses indicated, however, that the environmental impacts of incineration might decrease with different modeling assumptions, e.g. the modeling assumption regarding the kind of electricity production substituted by electricity production from MSW. Nevertheless, the main findings of the study remained the same and they are in line with the previous literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The goal of this study is to use life cycle assessment (LCA) tool to assess possible environmental impacts of different municipal solid waste management (MSWM) scenarios on various impact categories for the study area Dhanbad City, India. The scenarios included in the present study are collection and transportation (denoted as S1); baseline scenario consisting of recycling, open burning, open dumping, and finally unsanitary landfilling without energy recovery (denoted by S2); composting and landfilling (denoted by S3); and recycling and composting followed by landfilling of inert waste without energy recovery (denoted by S4). One ton of municipal solid waste (MSW) was selected as the functional unit. The primary data were collected through sampling, surveys, and literatures. Background data were obtained from Eco-invent data of SimaPro 8.1 libraries. The scenarios were compared using the CML 2 baseline 2000 method, and the results indicated that the scenario S1 had the highest impact on marine aquatic ecotoxicity (1.86E + 04 kg 1,4-DB eq.) and abiotic depletion (2.09E + 02 kg Sb eq.). S2 had the highest impact on global warming potential (9.42E + 03 kg CO eq.), acidification (1.15E + 01 kg SO eq.), eutrophication (2.63E + 00 kg PO eq.), photochemical oxidation (2.12E + 00 kg CH eq.), and human toxicity (2.25E + 01 kg 1,4-DB eq.). However, S3 had the highest impact on abiotic depletion (fossil fuels) (2.71E + 02 MJ), fresh water aquatic ecotoxicity (6.54E + 00 kg 1,4-DB eq.), terrestrial ecotoxicity (3.36E − 02 kg 1,4-DB eq.), and ozone layer depletion (2.73E − 06 kg CFC-11 eq.). But S4 did not have the highest impact on any of the environmental impact categories due to recycling of packaging waste and landfilling of inert waste. Landfilling without energy recovery of mixed solid waste was found as the worst disposal alternative. The scenario S4 was found as the most environmentally suitable technology for the study area and recommended that S4 should be considered for strategic planning of MSWM for the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The improper handling of industrial hazardous waste (IHW), which comprises large amounts of toxic chemicals, heavy metals, or irradiation substances, is a considerable threat to human health and the environment. This study aims to quantify the life cycle environmental impacts of IHW landfilling and incineration in China, to identify its key factors, to improve its potential effects, and to establish a hazardous waste disposal inventory. Methods: Life cycle assessment was conducted using the ReCiPe model to estimate the environmental impact of IHW landfilling and incineration. The characterization factors for the human toxicity and freshwater ecotoxicity categories shown in the ReCiPe were updated based on the geographies, population, food intake, and environmental conditions in China. Results and discussion: The overall environmental burden was mainly attributed to the carcinogen category. The national carcinogen burden in 2014 at 37.8 CTUh was dominated by diesel consumption, cement and sodium hydroxide production, direct emission, transportation, and electricity generation stages caused by direct mercury and arsenic emissions, as well as indirect chromium emission. Although the atmospheric mercury emission directly caused by IHW incineration was comparative with the emission levels of developed countries, the annual direct mercury emission accounted for approximately 0.1% of the national mercury emission. Conclusions: The key factors contributing to the reduction of the national environmental burden include the increasing diesel and electricity consumption efficiency, the reduction of cement and sodium hydroxide use, the development of air pollutant controlling systems, the reduction of transport distance between IHW disposers to suppliers, and the improvement of IHW recycling and reuse technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life cycle assessment (LCA) of municipal solid waste (MSW) management systems is typically rather arduous due to extensive data acquisition needed to calculate the direct and avoided emissions of the systems. A possibility to diminish the workload of the LCA studies is to utilise default or generic data instead of direct and case-specific data. However, it is crucial to know when this is justified. Direct and case-specific data should be applied at least to the key processes and parameters which have the strongest influence on the total results, whereas default data can be applied to the processes and parameters which have only a minor influence on the total results. Mixed MSW management systems in the South Karelia region, Finland, and the city of Hangzhou, China, were compared in this study in terms of the influence of different factors on the LCA results of the systems. The comparison focused particularly on the influence of individual parameters on the global warming, acidification and eutrophication potentials of the LCA studies. According to the study, parameters directly related to the generation and collection of landfill gas, the energy and fossil carbon content of mixed MSW, energy production efficiencies, as well as the nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions of incineration had the highest influence on the total results in both case studies, and therefore direct, case-specific data should be applied particularly to them. The use of machinery in landfilling, the electricity and chemical consumption in leachate treatment, the transportation of auxiliary materials (e.g. chemicals and incineration residues) as well as the electricity consumption and the use of machinery in bottom and boiler ash treatment had instead only a minor influence on the total results. Default or generic data could be applied to them to diminish the workload of the LCA studies. It is worth mentioning that the findings of the study apply merely to these particular case studies. Further research and corresponding comparisons are required to draw more profound and general conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the environmental impacts (EI) of the apple supply chain from the NE region, Romania and to calculate the EI from apple waste landfilling. The evaluation was performed by applying Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. In the first phase the apple supply chain was investigated and the environmental impacts were calculated and interpreted, while in the second phase the evaluation of apple waste landfilling was performed. The results showed that the apple production phase has the highest contribution to all the impact categories studied (acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), global warming potential (GWP), human toxicity potential (HTP) and photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP) etc.). Transportation and storage stages contribute mainly to POCP and GWP, while landfilling contributes especially to AP, GWP and POCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spent Coffee Ground (SGC) represents the most abundant waste generated in coffee beverage preparation and instant coffee production, with a total annual amount estimated at 60 million tons worldwide. These quantities justify the need to enhance and reuse this waste, by implementing successful circular economy strategies. For this purpose, the production of compost, biofuels, and the incorporation of limited quantities of SCG in the bricks-making process represents a promising solution, which can avoid the impacts due to its disposal but also, result in lower greenhouse gas emissions. The present study aims to assess the environmental performance of different SCG reuse scenarios, compared to traditional landfill disposal. To evaluate environmental impacts, a comparative Life Cycle Assessment is performed among the aforementioned scenarios. The results showed that in terms of emissions to air, all the reuses investigated involve benefits compared to landfill, resulting in a decrease of 18% in composting, 1% in biodiesel production, and 76% in bricks-making. For this purpose, the success and real applicability of circular economy models are influenced by numerous factors, including distances and transport, which represent crucial elements in the evaluation of environmental benefits. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was implemented, to evaluate the maximum break-even distances within which the analyzed scenarios guarantee an environmental benefit, compared to landfill disposal. According to the obtained results and considering a distance of 100 km for the transport of SCG to the landfill, the calculated break-even distances are 500 km for composting, 150 km for biodiesel production, 1800 km for bricks-making; for longer distances, the additional impacts due to transport would cancel out the benefits deriving from the reuse of waste. Finally, the calculated break-even distances were compared with the average distances of the real sites in the Italian scenario, resulting in average distances for composting and brick production less than the break-even ones (40 km and 460 km respectively). On the other hand, the average distance among biodiesel production plants in Italy (500 km) is much higher than the calculated break-even one. [Display omitted] • SCG represents the most abundant waste in coffee beverage preparation and coffee production. • SCG into the bricks represents the best solution in terms of GHG avoding. • Increase in transport distance of SCG can afflict environmental benefits of reusing solutions. • Composting and bricks making are compatible solutions with the real location of plants in Italy. • LCA results are useful data for dimensioning and implementing real circular economy models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal fly ash (CFA) disposal is controversial because constituents of potential concern such as heavy metals in the ash can be released to the ground and reach aquifers, which poses risks to communities and the environment. Whereas thoughtful utilization of CFA may result in economic and environmental benefits. Geotechnical use of CFA as fill material in embankments could be economically competitive while reducing environmental impact. However, CFA must compete with low-cost alternatives like sand, which do not need to adhere to stringent environmental regulations and have not been evaluated against CFA previously in life cycle assessment (LCA) studies. Therefore, this work aims to evaluate the environmental effects of using CFA versus sand through LCA. Leaching experiments were carried out to create mass balance emission profiles of heavy metals from the embankment. Those emissions were integrated into a complete life cycle inventory for use of the material. Results show a net reduction in the impact categories for CFA re-used in embankments compared to landfilled. The effects of sand impacts were mostly attributed to the sand mining process. The ultimate environmental impacts from utilizing CFA as fill material in an embankment were a result of truck emissions from transporting CFA from power stations to point of utilization, diesel production and its consumption during truck transport, and leachate emissions. The breakeven distance for transporting CFA as opposed to sand was evaluated as 115 km. [Display omitted] • Comparison of coal fly ash and soil fill use in embankments with LCA. • Net reduction in impact categories for higher lime content coal fly ash. • Leaching contributes significantly to freshwater ecotoxicity life cycle impact. • Arsenic contributes to freshwater ecotoxicity. • Chromium contributes to cancer and non-cancer human toxicity impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental importance of capital goods (trucks, buildings, equipment, etc.) was quantified by LCA modelling 1 tonne of waste treated in five different waste management scenarios. The scenarios involved a 240 L collection bin, a 16 m 3 collection truck, a composting plant, an anaerobic digestion plant, an incinerator and a landfill site. The contribution of capital goods to the overall environmental aspects of managing the waste was significant but varied greatly depending on the technology and the impact category: Global Warming: 1–17%, Stratospheric Ozone Depletion: 2–90%, Ionising Radiation, Human Health: 2–91%, Photochemical Ozone Formation: 2–56%, Freshwater Eutrophication: 0.05–99%, Marine Eutrophication: 0.03–8%, Terrestrial Acidification: 2–13%, Terrestrial Eutrophication: 1–8%, Particulate Matter: 11–26%, Human Toxicity, Cancer Effect: 10–92%, Human Toxicity, non-Cancer Effect: 1–71%, Freshwater Ecotoxicity: 3–58%. Depletion of Abiotic Resources – Fossil: 1–31% and Depletion of Abiotic Resources – Elements (Reserve base): 74–99%. The single most important contribution by capital goods was made by the high use of steel. Environmental impacts from capital goods are more significant for treatment facilities than for the collection and transportation of waste and for the landfilling of waste. It is concluded that the environmental impacts of capital goods should always be included in the LCA modelling of waste management, unless the only impact category considered is Global Warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important aspect of sustainable development is the implementation of effective and sustainable waste management strategies. The present study focuses on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach to different waste management strategies for natural cork stoppers, namely incineration at a municipal solid waste incinerator, landfilling in a sanitary landfill, and recycling. In the literature, there are no LCA studies analyzing in detail the end-of-life stage of natural cork stoppers as well as other cork products. In addition, cork is usually treated as wood at the end-of-life stage. Thus, the outcome of this study can provide an important insight into this matter. The results showed that different management alternatives, namely incineration and recycling, could be chosen depending on the impact category considered. The former alternative presented the best environmental results in the impact categories of climate change, ozone depletion and acidification, while the latter for photochemical ozone formation and mineral and fossil resource depletion. The landfilling alternative did not present the best environmental performance in any of the impact categories. However, when the biogenic carbon dioxide emission was assessed for the climate change category, the landfilling alternative was found to be the most effective since most of the biogenic carbon would be permanently stored in the cork products and not emitted into the atmosphere. A sensitivity analysis was performed and the results showed that there are various parameters that can significantly influence the results (e.g., carbon content in cork and decay rate of cork in the landfill). Thus, LCA studies should include a detailed description concerning their assumptions when the end-of-life stage is included in the boundaries since they can influence the results, and furthermore, to facilitate the comparison of different end-of-life scenarios. The present study and the obtained results could be useful for the decision-making process concerning public solid waste policies and industrial strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life cycle assessment (LCA) modelling of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) management was carried out. The functional unit was management of 1 Mg mineral, source separated C&DW, which is either utilised in road construction as a substitute for natural aggregates, or landfilled. The assessed environmental impacts included both non-toxic and toxic impact categories. The scenarios comprised all stages of the end-of-life management of C&DW, until final disposal of all residues. Leaching of inorganic contaminants was included, as was the production of natural aggregates, which was avoided because of the use of C&DW. Typical uncertainties related to contaminant leaching were addressed. For most impact categories, utilisation of C&DW in road construction was preferable to landfilling; however, for most categories, utilisation resulted in net environmental burdens. Transportation represented the most important contribution for most nontoxic impacts, accounting for 60–95 per cent of these impacts. Capital goods contributed with negligible impacts. Leaching played a critical role for the toxic categories, where landfilling had lower impacts than utilisation because of the lower levels of leachate per ton of C&DW reaching the groundwater over a 100-year perspective. Leaching of oxyanions (As, V and Sb) was critical with respect to leaching. Typical experimental uncertainties in leaching data did not have a pivotal influence on the results; however, accounting for Cr immobilisation in soils as part of the impact assessment was critical for modelling the leaching impacts. Compared with the overall life cycle of building and construction materials, leaching emissions were shown to be potentially significant for toxicity impacts, compared with contributions from production of the same materials, showing that end-of-life impacts and leaching should not be disregarded when assessing environmental impacts from construction products and materials. CO 2 uptake in the C&DW corresponding to 15 per cent carbonation could out-balance global warming impacts from transportation; however, carbonation would also likely result in increased toxicity impacts due to higher leaching of oxyanions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing trend in the public sector is to make more sustainable procurements by taking into account the impacts throughout the entire life cycle of the procurement. Despite the trend, the only deciding factor can still be the total costs. This article answers the question of how greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions should be taken into account in municipal solid waste (MSW) management when selecting an incineration plant for source separated mixed MSW. The aim is to guide the decision making of MSW management towards more environmentally friendly procurements. The study was carried out by calculating the global warming potentials (GWPs) and costs of mixed MSW management by using the waste composition from a case area in Finland. Scenarios of landfilling and combustion in three actual waste incineration plants were used to recognise the main processes that affect the results. GWP results show that the combustion of mixed MSW is a better alternative than landfilling the waste. The GHG results from combustion are greatly affected by emissions from the combustion and substituted energy production. The significance of collection and transportation is higher from the costs’ perspective than from the point of view of GHG emissions. The main costs, in addition to collection and transportation costs, result from the energy utilization or landfilling of mixed MSW. When tenders are invited for the incineration location of mixed MSW, the main focus should be: What are the annual electricity and heat recovery efficiencies and which are the substituted fuels in the area? In addition, in the case of a fluidized bed combustor it is crucial to know the combusted share of mixed MSW after preparing solid recovered fuel (SRF) and the treatment of rejects. The environmental criteria for the waste incineration plant procurements should be made in order to obtain clear instructions for the procurement units. The results can also be utilized more widely. The substituted fuels in the area and the effect of the plant location on the utilization of the produced energy can already be identified when planning an appropriate site for the waste incineration plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different options for managing the organic fraction (OF) of municipal solid waste generated in a given urban area were analyzed by life cycle assessment (LCA) for different source segregation (SS) intensities ranging from 0 to 52 %. The best management option for processing the OF remaining in the residual organic fraction (ROF) for the different SS intensities was by incineration. Landfilling and mechanical biological treatment (MBT) of ROF gave higher impacts. Aerobic treatment alone or combined with anaerobic digestion (AD) for processing the source-segregated organic fraction (SSOF) led to relevant environmental impact reduction even if the difference between the two options was quite negligible. The weighted impact showed that scenarios using incineration always gave environmental gains, whereas there was a higher environmental burden with the scenarios using MBT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of the present study has been to assess the environmental profile of an experimental decentralized waste management system which is based on the anaerobic codigestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) and dewatered sewage sludge in small plants (annual capacity: about 3000 t coupled at a 75 kW CHP unit) distributed over the territory. Two scenarios have been analysed: with and without aerobic composting post-treatment. In so far as an environmental point of view is concerned, such scenarios have been compared with the past and the current approaches occurring in the case study area (NE Italy) and characterized by a strong centralization. Environmental performances of the different scenarios have been assessed through Life Cycle Assessment methodology. Our results indicate that the anaerobic codigestion of dewatered sewage sludge and OFMSW in small plants combined with composting post-treatment may offer an environmentally sustainable option of waste management in small communities. This is achieved by (1) a strong reduction in the distances and volumes transported by road, (2) low energy requirement for the process itself, (3) energy saving from CHP unit and (4) energy/resources saving from the compost produced by the digested matter. Also social advantages may be gained, such as increased public acceptability of waste treatment facilities and increased awareness among citizen on waste management issue. To note that these advantages are closely related to some key assumptions like the use of digested matter as fertilizer. Assumptions and work limits are discussed in the final section of the paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this paper is to apply life cycle assessment in the waste management sector, in order to compare the environmental performance of different waste management methods. The methods that are studied are: landfilling, aerobic and anaerobic biological treatment, incineration and recycling, focusing on mass and energy balances and the environmental performance of each applied scenario. The Peloponnese Region in Greece was selected as a case for the application of this methodology and more specifically its largest municipalities, where a significant amount of waste is presented. The conducted LCA study proves the necessity of the adoption of an integrated waste management system and indicates its principal objectives by measuring environmental impacts. Thermal scenario contributes significant to the mitigation on the Greenhouse Gases. On the other hand, separation at source and recycling practices provides significant benefits to the abiotic depletion impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The annual rise in population growth coupled with the flourishing tourism industry in Mauritius has lead to a considerable increase in the amount of solid waste generated. In parallel, the disposal of non-biodegradable wastes, especially plastic packaging and plastic bottles, has also shown a steady rise. Improper disposal of used polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles constitutes an eyesore to the environmental landscape and is a threat to the flourishing tourism industry. It is of utmost importance, therefore, to determine a suitable disposal method for used PET bottles which is not only environmentally efficient but is also cost effective. This study investigated the environmental impacts and the cost effectiveness of four selected disposal alternatives for used PET bottles in Mauritius. The four disposal routes investigated were: 100% landfilling; 75% incineration with energy recovery and 25% landfilling; 40% flake production (partial recycling) and 60% landfilling; and 75% flake production and 25% landfilling. Environmental impacts of the disposal alternatives were determined using ISO standardized life cycle assessment (LCA) and with the support of SimaPro 7.1 software. Cost effectiveness was determined using life cycle costing (LCC). Collected data were entered into a constructed Excel-based model to calculate the different cost categories, Net present values, damage costs and payback periods. LCA and LCC results indicated that 75% flake production and 25% landfilling was the most environmentally efficient and cost-effective disposal route for used PET bottles in Mauritius. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

circumstances of operating and maintenance activities for landfilling and composting in Tehran metropolis differ from those of cities in developed countries, it was concluded to have an environmental impact comparison between the current solid waste management (MSW) strategies: (1) landfill, and (2) composting plus landfill. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to compare these scenarios for MSW in Tehran, Iran. The Eco-Indicator 99 is applied as an impact assessment method considering surplus energy, climate change, acidification, respiratory effect, carcinogenesis, ecotoxicity and ozone layer depletion points of aspects. One ton of municipal solid waste of Tehran was selected as the functional unit. According to the comparisons, the composting plus landfill scenario causes less damage to human health in comparison to landfill scenario. However, its damages to both mineral and fossil resources as well as ecosystem quality are higher than the landfill scenario. Thus, the composting plus landfill scenario had a higher environmental impact than landfill scenario. However, an integrated waste management will ultimately be the most efficient approach in terms of both environmental and economic benefits. In this paper, a cost evaluation shows that the unit cost per ton of waste for the scenarios is 15.28 and 26.40 US$, respectively. Results show landfill scenario as the preferable option both in environmental and economic aspects for Tehran in the current situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amount of power consumption of the product life cycle has a significant impact on global warming. To determine these negative impacts, life cycle assessment (LCA) is used. These methods are time-consuming and expensive training costs that require the characteristics of the mass and material characteristics of the products. The aim of the present study was to develop a method that uses only product typology and volumetric product properties without knowing the structural and material composition. To achieve the objective, 134 pieces of power tools were used, divided into 10 groups according to their type. The volume of the product was determined by 3D scanning with subsequent material and the LCA method based on the Oil Point Method (OPM). The end of life (EoL) of the product was evaluated in landfilling, combustion, and 90% recycling variants. Equations were obtained from Monte Carlo Simulation with 95% reliability and allowed the determination of the energy requirements for the production of power tools and CO2 emissions, including data for packaging and transport of goods. The Volumetric Evaluating Method of Ecodesign (VEME) can quickly evaluate impact in three EoL procedures and optimise the volume of power tools and the location of production of products without LCA knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study regarding three different cheese packages consist of completely polypropylene (P1), tin and polythylene (P2), and carton (P3) using a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA). It notes that cheese production is a composite process where various reactions occur during the maturation and storage procedures. The process observed will affect the texture, flavor, and other physical and chemical properties of cheese. The study carries out several methods and materials including the functional unit wherein a 1 kilogram of cheese was chosen, inventory analysis, and impact assessment. The result shows that P1 and P2 packaging types are environmentally favorable than P3.

The overall goal of the present study is to evaluate different strategies for treatment of solid waste in Sweden based on a life cycle perspective. Important goals are to identify advantages and disadvantages of different methods for treatment of solid waste, and to identify critical factors in the systems, including the background systems, which may significantly influence the results. Included in the study are landfilling, incineration, recycling, digestion and composting. The waste fractions considered are the combustible and recyclable or compostable fractions of municipal solid waste. The methodology used is life cycle assessment (LCA). The results can be used for policy decisions as well as strategic decisions on waste management systems. A waste hierarchy suggesting the environmental preference of recycling over incineration over landfilling is often put forward and used in waste policy making. LCAs can be used to test the waste hierarchy and identify situations where the hierarchy is not valid. Our results indicate that the waste hierarchy is valid as a rule of thumb. The results also suggest that a policy promoting recycling of paper and plastic materials, preferably combined with policies promoting the use of plastics replacing plastics made from virgin materials, leads to decreased use of total energy and emissions of gases contributing to global warming. If the waste can replace oil or coal as energy sources, and neither biofuels nor natural gas are alternatives, a policy promoting incineration of paper materials may be successful in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Food loss and waste (FLW) represents the biggest portion of waste generated in Peru. • FLW treatment GHG emissions were computed in 24 cities throughout the nation. • Five different treatment technologies for food loss and waste were modelled. • Dietary patterns and climate influence the results when waste landfilled. • Carbon loss would be mitigated if energy recovery or anaerobic digestion are applied. Peru struggles to upgrade its waste management, with landfilling only just overtaking open dumpsters as the main disposal method. Despite the benefits of this transition, including reduced environmental impacts to water and soil, previous studies demonstrated that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions may increase if adequate levels of technological sophistication are not implemented. Considering that 58% of municipal solid waste (MSW) is organic, it seems plausible that a relevant portion of emissions can be linked directly to food loss and waste (FLW) management. This study aims to determine the GHG emissions mitigation potential in FLW compared to the current baseline scenario in 24 Peruvian cities, by modelling alternative technologies to treat organic MSW. Life cycle modelling was performed using the waste-LCA software EASETECH. Five treatment scenarios were modelled: i) open dumping; ii) landfilling with no gas treatment; iii) landfilling with landfill gas treatment; iv) landfilling with energy recovery; and, v) anaerobic digestion. GHG emissions of FLW generation proved to be substantially higher than those for FLW treatment. However, if sophisticated technologies are implemented in FLW treatment, an annual reduction of up to 1.56 Mt CO 2 eq could be attained. Moreover, despite the health and environmental benefits of a transition to optimized diets, in which, for example, meat consumption is reduced and vegetables are boosted, an important increase in FLW and, therefore, an increase in GHG emissions in the treatment phase is shown. However, if certain technologies, such as energy recovery or anaerobic digestion, were implemented, most carbon losses would be avoided. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]