Page 262 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

250 LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT HANDBOOK

communities have recognized the inefficiency of waste and have adopted
''zero waste" philosophies (Economist: Science Technology Quarterly, 2007).
In this chapter, the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to the prob-
lem of solid waste management is addressed. The goal of an LCA of solid waste
management systems is to assess the relative overall environmental impacts and
tradeoffs in the context of site-specific waste characteristics, infrastructure, and
constraints. The results from an LCA can lend to the overall objective of sustain-
able waste management by providing environmental information that allows
decisionmakers to determine options for managing waste in a manner that is
protective of the environment, economically feasible, and socially acceptable.
In concert with the application of the LCA to waste management systems is
the concept of Integrated Waste Management (IWM), which takes an overall
"systems" view of all steps in the waste management process. Waste manage-
ment is in reality an integrated system of collection, transport, processing, and
disposal/recycling activities. It is important to view all activities and processes
as part of an integrated system rather than in isolation because changes in one
activity will impact other activities. For example, implementing an organics
waste composting program includes not only the construction and operation
of a compost facility but also requires a system for collecting and/or separat-
ing the organics waste, transporting and managing compost product, and dis-
posing of compost process residuals.
In general, LCA practitioners have been focused on the methods and the
issues surrounding product LCAs. There has also been an increasing interest
in the application of LCA, and life cycle principles, to the evaluation of waste
management as a stand-alone system as the end-of-life part of a product LCA.
Some of the key drivers behind this interest are current voluntary and regula-
tory programs focusing on reducing GHG emissions from waste management
activities, particularly landfills, as well as the Renewable Portfolio Standards
(RPS) where waste is classified as a renewable energy resource in many States.
The results of this increased interest and subsequent research have been driv-
ing toward the optimization of waste management systems and re-evaluation
of state and local waste management policies.
The focus of this chapter is on application of LCA to municipal solid waste
(MSW) that includes residential, commercial, and institutional waste. Other
special wastes (e.g., electronics), hazardous wastes, medical wastes typically
have their own unique management structures. These can also be analyzed
using LCA concepts and tools but the main focus of this chapter is on tradi-
tional MSW management.

11.2 Value of Applying Life Cycle Principles and
Concepts to End-Of-Life Materials Management

Consumer demand, current and potential future renewable energy, green-
house gas (GHG) and other environmental legislation, and influence from both
public and private organizations dictates greater consideration of the environ-
ment when making decisions regarding waste management. Taking a life-cycle