Abstract: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a well known tool for analyzing environmental impacts on a wide perspective and with a reference to a product system and economic activity. The need for a novel approach that complements environmental and financial considerations is addressed in this study with the introduction of a new graphical representation: the Environmental Performance Strategy Map. This particular graphical map allows us to combine the main environmental indicators (footprints) with the additional dimension of cost. The paper defines the Sustainable Environmental Performance Indicator as a single measure for sustainability of a given option. Comparison of different options for strategic decision making purposes can be enhanced and facilitated by the use of this indicator.

Abstract: This paper deals with the Environmental Bill of Material and Technology Routing: evaluating components and process impacts on the Environmental Strategy Map through an integrated LCA approach. It introduces these two new elements in the definition of new approaches to complement environmental and financial considerations into a single sustainability indicator. The basic idea presented is that each component of a specific product has a certain environmental burden and consenquently contributes to the environmental footprints. Those contributions are identified as Environmental Performance Points (EPP). When an item is routed through different technology processes to build the final product, it keeps contributing to the overall environmental burden. These contributions are again identified as EPP. The sum of all EPPs, categorized by footprints, provides the basis for creation of the characteristic Environmental Performance Strategy Map, previously developed by the authors of this paper. This new approach allows wide flexibility: the impact of changing a component, material or a production process will be reflected immediately on the Map.

Abstract: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a set of tools and ideas in the field of Environmental Assessment and it is one of the most important management tools to understand product related environmental impacts. It covers the life span from the extraction of the raw materials to their disposal or reprocessing. The main developments over the past 40 years are shortly reviewed in a perspective that puts an emphasis on Waste to Energy issues. This aims to identify the advantages and limitations of LCA related to the models of production processes adopted as basis of environmental assessment in waste management. The importance of the concept of extended producer responsibility requires a risk assessment that takes into account a broader set of elements, including occupational health risks. The use of LCA as the sole tool to determine improvements to the process under investigation can be biased as the human factor is not always included in the system boundaries. Examples of inclusion of work environment issues in Life Cycle approaches as well as models that balance health, safety and environmental impact are presented.

Abstract: The history and the main concepts at the basis of the LCA methodology have been reviewed, with particular attention to Waste to Energy applications. The main limitations of the method (namely methodological approach, especially data quality and collection, definition of system and time boundaries, multi-functionality and allocation, occupational health) have also been discussed. Examples of inclusion of work environment issues in Life Cycle approaches as well as models that balance health, safety and environmental impact have been presented. Particular attention has been given to the efforts of the Nordic countries, with reference to identifying a technique that allows a quantitative approach to the inclusion of work environment in the LCA methodology. The main developments in MSW and application of LCA in waste management have also been addressed. As a potential solution a process simulation approach has been proposed.

Abstract: Life Cycle Assessment involves the evaluation of specific elements of a product system to determine its environmental impact. It comprises a conceptual framework and a set of tools that have been studied and developed in the last 30 years. The core of the concept is the assessment of the impacts at each stage of the product life cycle. The proposed view is a holistic one and includes the entire lifespan of a product. The first studies on LCA date from the late sixties, early seventies. Due to the energy crisis of these years, waste and effluents were initially not considered as priority and attention was concentrated on calculating the total energy used in production of various household goods. After the oil crisis subsided both the energy issues and the use of LCA applications lost some prominence. It was only in the late eighties and early nineties when a new interest in the tool was found and coupled with efforts to bring standardization to its use. This standardization work was then picked up by the International Standard Organization (ISO) in 1994 with the first of its 14040 series. The principles and framework for LCA in these documents include: goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory analysis (LCI), life cycle impact assessment (LCIA), life cycle interpretation phase and reporting. Even though LCA is a powerful tool to assess the environmental impact of product/services, some important limitations have been evidenced in this study. In particular: quality and availability, time considerations and definition of system boundaries. LCA applications in MSW Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is a type of waste that includes predominantly household waste (domestic waste) sometimes with the addition of commercial waste collected within a collection area. Depending on their nature and composition the treatment of solid waste requires various technologies and a coordinated mix of practices. A tool generally used to classify different approaches to waste treatment is called Waste Hierarchy. Reducing the amount of waste is generally indicated as first priority. The order of the other priorities (reuse, recycle, incinerate and landfill) is based on the type of waste itself and the location where the waste arises. LCA has been proven as an effective tool to support strategic decision making also in field. In Hungary almost 4.5 Mt/y (approx. 450 kg/head) of communal solid waste is generated each year 8 [6]. It is important to note that Hungary is member of EU since 2004 and all legislation is harmonised with EU laws, including all laws and directives on environmental protection and waste management. Further work is required in improving the use of MSW in recycling, composting and mostly in energy production. The following scenarios could be analysed with an LCA approach: • Landfill with recovery of gas • Thermal processing including incineration • Materials recycling • Anaerobic digestion A process simulation approach is presented. This could be applied to mass and energy flows in the waste management system based on LCA to quantify emissions and financial costs and to determine the most viable solution. Uncertainty estimation can be accounted via repeated simulations. To define the system boundaries, material and energy balances in detail, the analysis is limited to a municipality level.

Abstract: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a tool for analyzing environmental impacts on a wide perspective and with a reference to a product system and economic activity. The history and the main concepts of the LCA methodology have been briefly reviewed. The LCA framework has been introduced, with regards to goal and scope definition, inventory analysis, impact assessment and interpretation. The main developments in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and application of LCA in waste management have also been addressed. A model of waste treatment system that can be applied to the Hungarian reality has also been introduced.