Environmental assessment of solid waste systems and technologies: EASEWASTE
Janus T Kirkeby1, Harpa Birgisdottir, Trine Lund Hansen
1Environment & Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby. jtk@er.dtu.dk
Summary
A new model, EASEWASTE (Environmental Assessment of Solid Waste Systems and Technologies), evaluates waste management impacts. It helps optimize systems and identify the most environmentally sustainable solutions for diverse waste materials and regions.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Waste Management Engineering
- Life Cycle Assessment
Background:
- Municipal solid waste management systems face increasing scrutiny regarding resource consumption and environmental impacts.
- Traditional waste management approaches, often guided by the waste hierarchy, may not always yield the most environmentally friendly outcomes.
- Optimizing waste management requires comprehensive tools to assess resource use and environmental footprints.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce EASEWASTE (Environmental Assessment of Solid Waste Systems and Technologies), a novel model for evaluating the environmental performance of municipal solid waste management.
- To enable comparison of diverse waste management strategies, treatment methods, and process technologies.
- To identify key processes and waste fractions contributing to environmental impacts.
Main Methods:
- Development and application of the EASEWASTE model, utilizing life cycle assessment principles.
- Analysis of resource consumption and environmental impacts across various waste management scenarios.
- Tracing environmental impacts to specific processes and waste streams within the system.
Main Results:
- The EASEWASTE model successfully evaluates overall resource consumption and environmental impacts.
- It allows for the identification of the most significant contributors to environmental burdens within waste management systems.
- The model demonstrates that the most environmentally sustainable solutions can vary depending on waste materials and geographical regions.
Conclusions:
- EASEWASTE provides a robust framework for waste planners and authorities to optimize waste management systems.
- The model facilitates informed decision-making for setting environmental guidelines and regulations.
- It offers valuable insights into the environmental achievements of individual processes, supporting the selection of environmentally superior waste management strategies.
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