Life Cycle Assessment of the Mixed Municipal Waste Management System Based on Mechanical-Biological Treatment

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify and assess the potential environmental impacts caused by mixed municipal solid waste management system based on mechanical-biological treatment technology in Rybnik, Poland. The study is based on life cycle assessment methodology, with application of EASETECH model. The system elements that were taken under consideration are the collection and transportation of MSW (municipal solid waste); MBT plant (mechanical and biological treatment), transportation between system elements, landfilling with LFG (landfill gas) collection system and gas combustion in flare. The adopted functional unit is 1 Mg of mixed municipal waste generated in Rybnk.