Environmental and economic performance of an integrated municipal solid waste treatment: A Chinese case study

The application of integrated municipal solid waste (MSW) management has become increasingly common for the mitigation of the ever-growing MSW stream. However, despite their popularity across the globe, little is known about the performance of integrated MSW management (MSWM) plants. This study quantitively investigates the environmental and economic performance of an integrated MSW treatment center in the city of Horqin Left Rear Banner, Inner Mongolia Province, China, using a combined life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) methodology. Results indicate that the integrated MSWM plant is sustainable in both environmental and economic aspects, as the life cycle environmental impacts and economic costs can be offset by substituting virgin products with recycled counterparts. Amongst the included treatments, MSW separation, brick making and plastic recycling are the greatest contributors to the total environmental burdens and economic expenses. LCC results demonstrate that the equipment cost, tax and other asset costs are the greatest contributors to the total costs of the plant. Sensitivity analysis confirms that the increasing source separation ratio results in the reduction of environmental burdens and economic expenses via the usage of biogas and photovoltaic power. Furthermore, we offer recommendations for the promotion of the environmental and economic sustainability of integrated MSW treatment facilities.