LCA is a popular tool widely used to assess the environmental impact of waste management systems, which is illustrated by the substantial number of LCA computer models specifically addressing this subject. Due to the complex nature of waste management modelling and the range of country-specific data, as well as lack of harmonization, it has been observed that there are large discrepancies between the results using different models. Many studies have underlined the necessity of clearly identifying both the scope and methodological assumptions of LCAs in order to have confidence in the results. Therefore, the paper presented here reveals several methodology-related issues. The study tests two different pieces of LCA software, i.e. IWM-2 (designed specifically for MSW) and SimaPro (a generic and widely used LCA software). The pieces of software were used to LCA an MSW scenario and the results obtained (calculated using Ecoindicator'99 H/A) were compared to show the strengths and weaknesses of these tools, i.e., generic software usually treats the waste as a set of separate fractions, not as a whole mass, which means that the software is not highly sensitive to the composition of the waste and does not take into account the environmental impacts produced as a result of the interaction between the waste components after mixing. As waste composition is very important in planning, one study combines these two software packages to get final results, i.e., data generated by IWM-2 were entered into SimaPro. The discussion is built around a case study in Poland where waste management scenarios have been analyzed. The research carried out has shown that having the same initial inventory data collected on the basis of the same assumptions and with the same boundaries to the system model used and using the same method of LCIA to assess the impact on the environment, may not produce the same end results. In the presented study, the main differences in the LCIA results appeared in four output-related impact categories: carcinogens, climate change, ecotoxicity, and eutrophication/acidification, and for one input related impact category -fossil fuels. Four reasons responsible for these differences are identified:(1) The IWM-2 program identified a smaller number of substances emitted to air and water associated with landfill and recycling than the Ecoinvent database (IWM-2 identified a total of 31 types of emissions to air

Purpose The paper presents, for the first time, a life cycle assessment (LCA) study of energy generation (i.e. electricity and heat production) in Poland. The aim is to determine and compare the potential impact of energy generation upon the environment in 2007, 2010 and 2012 based on countryspecific data bought from specialised government agencies. Methods LCA evaluations were made using the Impact2002+ method, which proposes a feasible implementation of a combined midpoint/damage approach. The method was chosen because it models risks and potential impacts per emission for several thousand chemicals, including greenhouse gas (GHG). The LCA method was used to monitor and assess the current energy system and introduced changes in energy structure at national level. Results and discussion From the environmental perspective, the main problem of the Polish energy sector is that it is mainly based on fossil energy carriers, i.e. hard and brown coal (over 80 %). As the share of renewables in primary energy has increased from 6.7 to 10.2 % (mainly biomass), a reduction in SO 2 , NO x and dust was noted in 2010 in comparison to 2007. Unfortunately, acid and CO 2 emissions increased significantly in 2012 as a result of higher consumption of brown coal as a fuel for energy production. The LCA study shows that the total environmental impact of the production and distribution of 1 TJ of energy increased by about 4 % in 2010 (compared to 2007) and by about 11 % in 2012 (compared to 2010). Conclusions Specific representative data of high quality can be delivered by agencies focused on energy issues and the national statistical office. They can help to considerably reduce the time and costs of life cycle inventory (LCI). These data, including a classification relating to electricity and heat generation and distribution in Poland, were converted to LCA results for the first time. It was noted that allocation between heat and power in the CHP system can be recognised as a source of uncertainty, and the results should be interpreted as sensitive to change in the allocation criteria.

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SummaryThe article analyzes and discusses the environmental and natural resource impacts, benefits, and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential associated with a long-term transition to more energy-efficient pyrometallurgical smelting technologies for the production of refined copper. Using generic data from the KGHM Polska Miedź S.A, Glogow I and II smelting facilities in Poland, this study employs life cycle assessment (LCA) to compare the environmental impacts of shaft and flash furnace-based smelting technologies. Additionally, this analysis accounts for likely technological changes in the more energy-efficient flash furnace smelting technologies and electricity generation from 2030 to 2050 to forecast the long-term impacts of copper production. Life cycle impact assessment results for copper production are characterized using the ReCiPe 2008 midpoint method. LCA results show that, for most impact categories, the flash-based technology can achieve significantly lower environmental impacts than a shaft furnace (i.e., to produce 1 ton of copper in 2010 generates, on average, a 24% lower overall impact). For climate change, transitioning from shaft furnace-based copper production to more efficient flash furnace technology leads to decreasing GHG emissions of 29% in

The paper presents research on a method of obtaining magnesium hydroxide from magnesium sulphate salts and NaOH. In order to acquire the desired and controlled properties, the method of precipitating in aqueous solutions by introducing a NaOH solution into a solution of MgSO4 has been applied. To get as stable a product as possible with graining, the introduction of NaOH takes place at a constant flow rate. In order to identify the environmental impact of the developed process, a life cycle assessment (LCA) has been made. The use of the proposed method for the synthesis of Mg(OH)2 incorporating washing with 25% ammonia solution and acetone enabled a product with a high specific surface area. The Mg(OH)2 obtained was characterised by a higher specific surface area than commercially available magnesium hydroxides that are used as additives for flame retardants in polymeric materials. This allows the material to be used as an anti-pyrogen for a wider group of polymeric materials. For the LCA analysis, two scenarios were assumed, from which the basic one included recovery of ammonia and acetone. The environmental analysis carried out confirmed the validity of this assumption, as it was stated that the main part of the impact was connected with the supply chain for the process examined.