The Environmental Impact of Leachate Processing Installations: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Study

Abstract

This study aims to analyze waste management in the face of population growth and increasing human activity. As the population continues to grow and human activities intensify, the proper management of waste becomes crucial to safeguarding the environment. In this context, leachate treatment through the Leachate Treatment Plant (LTP) emerges as a key element in protecting the environment from the negative impacts of leachate. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method serves as a valuable tool for analyzing the environmental implications of LTPs and aiding in sustainable decision-making. The research process commences with gathering essential data and constructing an inventory related to energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution loads, and the utilization of natural resources. Through the gate-to-gate approach using the SimaPro application with the CML-IA Baseline method, the environmental impacts are quantified. The study reveals the significant impacts of Global warming (3.03E-08 Pt), Photochemical Oxidation (3.70E-09 Pt), Human toxicity (2.09E-09 Pt), and Eutrophication (1.87E-06 Pt). Eutrophication stands out as the most prominent impact of wastewater treatment. The resultant eutrophication impact predominantly originates from the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) pollutant component, mainly generated from the equalization tub unit and constructed wetland. Furthermore, the control tank emerges as the primary source of the dominant pollutant.