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Application of LCA modelling in integrated waste management
T H Christensen1, A Damgaard1, J Levis2
1Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark.
Waste Management (New York, N.Y.)
|September 12, 2020
Summary
Life cycle assessment (LCA) provides a holistic view of waste management impacts. Future applications of LCA in waste management include system understanding, improvement, technology comparison, development, policy, and reporting.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Waste Management Science
Background:
- Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been utilized in waste management for over 20 years.
- Numerous publications highlight LCA's contribution to a holistic understanding of waste flows and environmental impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and describe six key future application areas for LCA in waste management.
- To illustrate these applications with practical examples.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and applications of LCA in waste management.
- Identification of emerging trends and potential future roles for LCA.
Main Results:
- Six critical areas for future LCA application in waste management were identified: understanding existing systems, system improvement, technology comparison, prospective technology development, policy and strategic development, and reporting.
- Illustrative examples were provided for each identified area.
Conclusions:
- LCA models are essential for integrated waste management strategies.
- The future utility of LCA in waste management is broad, spanning from operational improvements to strategic policy development.
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