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Using life cycle assessment to address stakeholders' potential for improving municipal solid waste management
Milton Aurelio Uba de Andrade Junior1,2, Guillherme Marcelo Zanghelini1,3, Sebastião Roberto Soares1
11 CICLOG, Life Cycle Assessment Research Group, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Summary
Increasing municipal solid waste (MSW) paper recycling can significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions. Stakeholder commitment, particularly from industry, is key to achieving these reductions and promoting a circular economy.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Waste Management
- Life Cycle Assessment
Background:
- Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is crucial for resource efficiency in urban areas, as material consumption often outpaces recovery.
- The end-of-life (EOL) impacts of consumer goods are significantly influenced by the characteristics of MSW management systems.
- Improving waste paper recycling is a key strategy to mitigate environmental impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through increased waste paper recycling within an MSW management system.
- To assess the contribution of different stakeholders, specifically industry and government, in driving improved waste management scenarios.
- To analyze the EOL impacts of the paper industry using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in Florianópolis, Brazil.
Main Methods:
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was employed to evaluate the EOL impacts of the paper industry.
- The study modeled different waste paper recycling scenarios to assess varying levels of stakeholder commitment.
- MSW management processes were separated based on industry and government responsibilities according to the Brazilian legal framework.
Main Results:
- A 41% reduction in climate change impacts from waste paper management is achievable by increasing recycling rates and decreasing landfilling.
- Achieving these emission reductions requires a substantial increase in industry's contribution to the MSW management system, from 17% to 74%.
- The study successfully differentiated stakeholder contributions by modeling industry- and government-controlled processes.
Conclusions:
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a valuable tool for informing policy decisions aimed at reducing MSW management impacts.
- Increasing resource recovery through enhanced recycling is essential for transitioning towards a circular economy.
- Greater industry involvement is critical for realizing significant environmental benefits in waste management.
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