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Updated: May 19, 2026
10:22
Split Point Analysis and Uncertainty Quantification of Thermal-Optical Organic/Elemental Carbon Measurements
Published on: September 7, 2019
Quantifying uncertainty in LCA-modelling of waste management systems
Julie Clavreul1, Dominique Guyonnet, Thomas H Christensen
1Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljoevej, Building 113, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark. julc@env.dtu.du
Waste Management (New York, N.Y.)
|August 7, 2012
Summary
This study introduces a four-step framework for uncertainty analysis in life cycle assessment (LCA) of waste management. It quantifies uncertainties and their contributions, improving decision-making for waste management systems.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Industrial Ecology
- Waste Management
Background:
- Life cycle assessment (LCA) is crucial for evaluating environmental impacts.
- Uncertainty analysis in LCA has advanced, yet a systematic approach for waste management LCA is missing.
- Existing methods lack a comprehensive framework for waste-specific uncertainties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify uncertainties unique to waste-LCA studies.
- To select and apply methods for uncertainty analysis in waste management.
- To develop a general framework for quantitative uncertainty assessment in waste-LCA.
Main Methods:
- A four-step framework combining sensitivity analysis, uncertainty propagation, and uncertainty contribution analysis.
- Step 1: Sensitivity analysis to identify influential input uncertainties.
- Step 4: Combined sensitivity analysis for visualizing ranking shifts due to parameter variations.
Main Results:
- The proposed framework offers a systematic approach to quantitative uncertainty assessment for waste management LCA.
- Identified key sources of uncertainty specific to waste management processes.
- Developed a tiered approach to optimize resource allocation by focusing on influential uncertainties.
Conclusions:
- The developed framework provides a robust method for assessing uncertainty in waste management LCA.
- This approach enhances the reliability and comparability of waste management system evaluations.
- Optimizes resources for LCA practitioners by prioritizing critical uncertainty factors.
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