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Jian X, Liu Y, Ye ZL, Chen WQ. Influence of mandatory waste classification on environmental and economic impacts of residual waste treatment in Xiamen, China. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2024:734242X241265055. [PMID: 39068522 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x241265055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Mandatory waste classification has been widely considered as an effective solution for reducing the production and treatment amount of municipal solid waste. However, there is limited evidence regarding whether and how waste classification can affect the composition of residual waste (RW) and its environmental economic impacts. Here, an accounting method recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, field surveys and cost-benefit analysis was utilized to investigate the changes in RW composition, environmental impacts and economic benefits under the waste classification policies implementation in Xiamen, China. This study found that: (1) The implementation of waste classification policies led to a significant increase in recyclable content from 17% to 51% and a decrease in organic content from 56% to 32%. (2) Waste classification effectively reduces greenhouse gas emissions from landfilling and incineration by an additional 0.34 tCO2-eq t-1 RW. (3) The introduction of mechanical recycling achieves a saving of 0.47 tCO2-eq t-1 RW at 40% recycling efficiency, a 4.5-fold increase compared to business as usual (BAU). (4) The operational benefits (900 yuan t-1 RW) from the recyclables sorting system offset the total expenses of investment, operation and waste disposal. The study successfully demonstrated that RW source-classified management can optimize the structure of waste composition, reduce environmental emissions and offer detailed guidance for the development of solid waste management systems in other cities in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Jian
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yupeng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Smart Management of Urban Environment, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Zhi-Long Ye
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Wei-Qiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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2
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Xu T, Yang J, Shao Z, Shen C, Yao F, Xia J, Zheng J, Wu Y, Kan S. Life cycle assessment of plastic waste in Suzhou, China: Management strategies toward sustainable express delivery. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 360:121201. [PMID: 38796870 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The explosive growth of China's express delivery industry has greatly increased plastic waste, with low-value plastics not effectively utilized, such as PE packaging bags, which are often not recycled and end up in landfills or incinerators, causing significant resource waste and severe plastic pollution. A gate -to- grave life cycle assessment was adopted to assess the impacts of express delivery plastic waste (EDPW) management models (S1, landfill; S2, incineration; S3, mechanical pelletization), with Suzhou, China as a case. Results showed that mechanical pelletization, was the most environmentally advantageous, exhibiting a comprehensive environmental impact potential of -215.54 Pt, significantly lower than that of landfill (S1, 78.45 Pt) and incineration (S2, -121.77 Pt). The analysis identified that the end-of-life disposal and sorting stages were the principal contributors to environmental impacts in all three models, with transportation and transfer stages of residual waste having minimal effects. In terms of all environmental impact categories, human carcinogenic toxicity (HTc) emerged as the most significant contributor in all three scenarios. Specifically, S1 exhibited the most detrimental effect on human health, while S2 and S3 showed positive environmental impacts. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the application and innovation in mechanical recycling technologies be enhanced, the promotion of the eco-friendly transformation of packaging materials be pursued, and a sustainable express delivery packaging recycling management system be established. These strategies are essential for achieving more eco-friendly management of EDPW, reducing its environmental pollution, and moving towards more sustainable express delivery management practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China
| | - Jie Yang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China.
| | - Zhijuan Shao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China
| | - Chunqi Shen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China
| | - Fenggen Yao
- Suzhou Environmental Sanitation Administration Agency, Suzhou, 215007, China
| | - Jinyu Xia
- Suzhou Environmental Sanitation Administration Agency, Suzhou, 215007, China
| | - Jiaxing Zheng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China
| | - Yulian Wu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China
| | - Shiye Kan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China
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Guo J, He P, Wu H, Xi Y, Li C, Zhang H, Zhou J, Liao J, Lü F. Novel material-oriented valorization of biogas can achieve more carbon reduction than traditional utilization by bioelectricity or biomethane. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 395:130333. [PMID: 38244938 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Two novel biogas upgrading strategies that recover high-value chemicals or CO2 liquid fertilizer from biogas besides biomethane were evaluated from the view of global warming potential (GWP) through life cycle assessment in comparison with conventional approaches. Results show that the scenarios producing biomethane with nano calcium carbonate or CO2 liquid fertilizer from biogas present significantly lower GWP (-3.4 kgCO2-eq/Nm3-biogas and -4.4 kgCO2-eq/Nm3-biogas, respectively), compared to combined heat and power scenario (-2.4 kgCO2-eq/Nm3-biogas) and biogas upgrading by high pressure water scrubbing scenario (-1.3 kgCO2-eq/Nm3-biogas). The carbon sequestration and utilization from CO2-rich water significantly enhanced carbon reduction in overall biogas management. Furthermore, considering cleaner electricity in the future, strategies focusing on managing biogas for materials will align more with climate change goals than energy-focused strategies. This study provides insight for decision-makers in developing roadmaps for carbon reduction pathways in biogas-relating sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Guo
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Source Reuse, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Pinjing He
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Source Reuse, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Hao Wu
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, China
| | - Yonglan Xi
- Jiangsu Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Chao Li
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Source Reuse, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Source Reuse, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, China
| | - Jingwen Liao
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, China
| | - Fan Lü
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China.
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Galavote T, Chaves GDLD, Yamane LH, Siman RR. Municipal solid waste management instruments that influence the use of the refuse as fuel in developing countries: A critical review. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2024:734242X241231402. [PMID: 38385333 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x241231402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Landfills are the destination of most of the refuse generated whereas composting, material recycling, and Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technologies are not commonly employed in developing countries. However, the destination for energy purposes could be supplied with this refuse, improving the viability of energy use. Thus, this article raises some questions to identify aspects that could encourage its use as refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in these countries. Among them, does environmental education affect the municipal solid waste (MSW) source separation with emphasis on a destination? Can selective collection and extended producer responsibility (EPR) affect the MSW for energy recovery? Is there competition between the recycling market and the energy market for RDF? A systematic review of the literature was conducted to gather data and provide answers to such questions. This enabled to observe that EPR, selective collect expansion and source separation influence the quantity and quality of waste sent for energy use. Both internal and external factors impact on source separation. Additionally, there is evidence to support that despite several studies showing their technical, economic, environmental and social viability, the methods of energy usage of the refuse still need to improve their deployment in developing countries. In addition to identifying the main research gaps to be filled in future studies, the article also identified the instruments of MSW management that are to be applied in developing countries to divert recyclable and organic waste from landfill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tânia Galavote
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | | | - Luciana Harue Yamane
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Renato Ribeiro Siman
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Espírito Santo, Brazil
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Ma H, Wei Y, Fei F, Gao M, Wang Q. Whether biorefinery is a promising way to support waste source separation? From the life cycle perspective. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168731. [PMID: 38007136 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Since the implementation of the waste separation policy, the disposal of source-separated food waste (FW) has been more strictly required. Traditional source-separated FW treatment technologies, such as anaerobic digestion (AD) and aerobic composting (AC), suffer from low resource utilization efficiency and poor economic benefits. It is one of the main limiting factors for the promotion of waste separation. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted for five municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment technologies, compared their environmental impacts, and analyzed the impact of waste separation ratios to determine whether biorefinery is a promising way to support waste source separation. The results showed that black soldier fly (BSF) treatment had the lowest net global warming potential (GWP) of all technologies, reduced by 40.8 % relative to the non-source-separated treatment. Ethanol production had the second-lowest net environmental impact potential because bioethanol replaces fossil fuel to avoid the emission of pollutants from its combustion. When two biorefinery technologies with excellent efficiency to avoid environmental impact are used to treat source-separated FW, the increase in the percentage of waste separation will help reduce the environmental impact of MSW treatment. The application of biorefinery technologies is considered a viable option for source-separated FW treatment. AC should not be widely promoted because it showed the worst net environmental benefits, and waste separation will elevate the environmental impact of its treatment process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhi Ma
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology, Beijing 100083, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing 100083, China; Nanchang Institute of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330108, China
| | - Yulian Wei
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology, Beijing 100083, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Fan Fei
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology, Beijing 100083, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Ming Gao
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology, Beijing 100083, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Qunhui Wang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology, Beijing 100083, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing 100083, China
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6
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Bisinella V, Schmidt S, Varling AS, Laner D, Christensen TH. Waste LCA and the future. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 174:53-75. [PMID: 38016265 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Life cycle assessment (LCA) models quantifying the environmental aspects of waste management have become an integral part of waste management decision-making over the last two decades and have provided ample knowledge on both environmental benefits and drawbacks in the way we handle waste. Waste management and LCA modelling of waste management systems will soon be challenged by profound changes necessary in our societies and sectors to meet sustainable development goals. Foreseen changes in energy, material, and nutrient provision will directly and indirectly affect waste management in terms of its operation and goals. This study reflects on anticipated changes in society and industrial sectors and how these changes may affect waste management and LCA modelling of waste management systems in terms of waste input, the modelling of technologies and systems and exchanges of energy, materials, and nutrients, as well as how it may affect impact assessment and the interpretation of results. The study provides practical recommendations for LCA modelling of future waste management systems, which will hopefully lead to robust assessments that can support decision-making in an evolving society subject to great changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Bisinella
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - S Schmidt
- Research Center for Resource Management and Solid Waste Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Kassel, Mönchebergstraße 7, 34125 Kassel, Germany
| | - A S Varling
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - D Laner
- Research Center for Resource Management and Solid Waste Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Kassel, Mönchebergstraße 7, 34125 Kassel, Germany
| | - T H Christensen
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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7
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Zhao Q, Tang W, Han M, Cui W, Zhu L, Xie H, Li W, Wu F. Estimation of reduced greenhouse gas emission from municipal solid waste incineration with electricity recovery in prefecture- and county-level cities of China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 875:162654. [PMID: 36894103 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Municipal solid waste (MSW) without proper managements could be a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. MSW incineration with electricity recovery (MSW-IER) is recognized as a sustainable way to utilize waste, but its effectiveness on reducing GHG emissions at the city scale in China remain unclear due to limited data of MSW compositions. The aim of the study is to investigate reduction potential of GHG from MSW-IER in China. Based on the MSW compositions covering 106 Chinese prefecture-level cities during the period of 1985 to 2016, random forest models were built to predict MSW compositions in Chinese cities. MSW compositions in 297 cities of China from 2002 to 2017 were predicted using the model trained by a combination of socio-economic, climate and spatiotemporal factors. Spatiotemporal and climatic factors (such as economic development level, precipitation) accounted for 6.5 %-20.7 % and 20.1 %-37.6 % to total contributions on MSW composition, respectively. The GHG emissions from MSW-IER in each Chinese city were further calculated based on the predicted MSW compositions. The plastic is the main GHG emission source, accounting for over 91 % of the total emission during 2002-2017. Compared to baseline (landfill) emission, the GHG emission reduction from MSW-IER was 12.5 × 107 kg CO2-eq in 2002 and 415 × 107 kg CO2-eq in 2017, with an average annual growth rate of 26.3 %. The results provide basic data for estimating GHG emission in MSW management in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhao
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China; Key Laboratory of Pollution Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Weihao Tang
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China.
| | - Mengjie Han
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Wenjing Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- Department of Earth System Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Institute for Global Change Studies, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Huaijun Xie
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), Dalian Key Laboratory on Chemicals Risk Control and Pollution Prevention Technology, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Linggong Road 2, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Earth System Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Institute for Global Change Studies, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Institute for Carbon Neutrality, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Fengchang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
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Chang H, Zhao Y, Bisinella V, Damgaard A, Christensen TH. Climate change impacts of conventional sewage sludge treatment and disposal. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 240:120109. [PMID: 37244017 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Sewage sludge (SS) management remains a challenge across the world. We quantified the potential climate change impacts of eight conventional technology configurations (TCs) for SS treatment and disposal by considering four different energy exchanges and using a life cycle assessment (LCA) model that employed uncertainty distributions for 104 model parameters. All TCs showed large climate change loads and savings (net values ranging from 123 to 1148 kg CO2-eq/t TS) when the energy exchange was with a fossil-based energy system, whereas loads and savings were approximately three times lower when the energy exchange was with a renewable energy system. Uncertainty associated with the climate change results was more than 100% with fossil-energy exchange and low TS content of SS but was lower for renewable energy. Landfilling had the greatest climate change impact, while thermal drying with incineration had the highest probability of providing better climate change performance than other TCs. The global sensitivity analysis identified nine critical technological parameters. Many of them can be easily measured for relevant SS and technology levels to improve specific estimates of climate change impact. When all scenarios were optimized to the 20% best cases, thermal drying with incineration outperformed the other TCs. This paper contributes to better quantifying the climate change impacts of different technologies used for sludge treatment given changing energy systems and identifies crucial parameters for further technological development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Chang
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Valentina Bisinella
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Anders Damgaard
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Thomas H Christensen
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
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9
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Nanlin L, Fan L, Hua Z, Liming S, Pinjing H. Environmental and economic assessment of the construction, operation, and demolition of a decentralized composting facility. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 884:163724. [PMID: 37116801 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Decentralized waste treatment facilities are recently highlighted for the treatment of solid waste in rural areas for being cheap, flexible, and reliable. Among them, decentralized composting is most commonly used. Many forms of decentralized composting facilities also develop and apply in developing countries, but the environmental and economical performances remain unknown. Therefore, this study analyzed the environmental impacts and cost of a decentralized composting facility through life cycle assessment and life cycle cost. The functional unit was the construction, operation, and demolition the composting facility. Contribution and sensitivity analysis were also performed to find out the most influential processes and parameters. The facility had a 10-year designed life span and could treat about 5840 t organic waste in its life cycle. The life cycle environmental impacts were 646,700 kg CO2-eq, 8980 kg SO2-eq, -28 kg P-eq, 7.09 × 10-3 CTUh, 0.13 CTUh, and 16,754 kg oil-eq for climate change, terrestrial acidification, freshwater eutrophication, human toxicity cancer effects, human toxicity non-cancer effects, and fossil resources scarce, respectively. The life cycle cost was 1080.925 k CNY. When scaling to treating 1 t organic waste, the environmental impacts were close to those of similar decentralized and centralized composting facilities and the cost was lower than those of centralized biological treatment plants when excluding revenues from compost. According to the contribution and sensitivity analysis, the operation stage had the largest environmental impacts. The composting and compost substitution processes in the operation stage were the most sensitive processes. This study proved quantitatively that the decentralized facility was feasible both environmentally and economically and enriched the study cases for decentralized composting facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liao Nanlin
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Source Reuse, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lü Fan
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Source Reuse, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhang Hua
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Source Reuse, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shao Liming
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Source Reuse, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China
| | - He Pinjing
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China.
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10
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Liao N, Lü F, Zhang H, He P. Life cycle assessment of waste management in rural areas in the transition period from mixed collection to source-separation. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 158:57-65. [PMID: 36640669 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Rural solid waste management is essential for fulfilling sustainable development goals, especially in developing countries. However, quantitative study on this aspect has been little and far behind the urban areas. In this study, the environmental impacts of four typical rural solid waste management systems were quantified using life cycle assessment based on data from field investigations of five towns across four seasons. Sensitivity analysis was used to determine the most influential parameters. The results showed that landfilling mixed waste contributed the highest environmental impacts. By substituting landfilling with incineration, the environmental impacts (i.e., global warming potential, terrestrial acidification potential, fossil resource scarcity, freshwater ecotoxicity potential) dropped about 110%-900%. When shifting collection schemes to source separation, the environmental impacts also decreased by approximately 50%-200%. However, the environmental impacts of applying source separation to the existing management systems with mixed collection and disposal facilities of landfill or waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration are unclear and depend on the performance of decentralized composting and anaerobic digestion facilities, which need further investigations. Compared with urban cases, the landfill in rural areas emits higher greenhouse gas (GHG), and WTE incineration plants in rural areas have similar GHG emissions to WTE in urban areas. Besides, energy recovery was the most influential process in WTE systems and a 1% improvement on that would bring over 10% progress on global warming potential impact category. These findings can be useful for improving and developing rural domestic waste treatment in China and other developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanlin Liao
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, No. 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Source Reuse, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China.
| | - Fan Lü
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, No. 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Source Reuse, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hua Zhang
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, No. 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Source Reuse, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China.
| | - Pinjing He
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, No. 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China.
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