Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Anurag Deepak, Varun Sharma, Dinesh Kumar
Summary: This paper addresses the environmental burden of existing biomedical waste management in northern India and suggests constructive steps to achieve a less impactful environment through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The study finds that an integrated system including incineration with energy recovery, autoclave-shredder, chemical disinfection, and Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) reduces the environmental burden compared to the present state. The paper suggests that LCA is a beneficial tool for decision-makers and managers to reduce environmental burden and develop a life cycle inventory database for developed economies.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Susanna Andreasi Bassi, Davide Tonini, Hans Saveyn, Thomas Fruergaard Astrup
Summary: This study analyzes the EU demand for PET packaging and quantifies the potential environmental and societal savings through changing waste management and consumption patterns. The results show that implementing more efficient waste management systems and a robust secondary material market can lead to significant reductions in CO2 emissions and PM2.5 emissions, while also avoiding high societal costs. Limiting the growth of PET consumption can also improve waste management efficiency and save on emissions and societal costs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yuanhao Zhao, Changbo Wang, Lixiao Zhang, Yuan Chang, Yan Hao
Summary: This study evaluated the environmental impacts and economic competitiveness of biodiesel production from waste cooking oil in China using life cycle assessment and life cycle cost modeling. The results showed that compared to conventional fossil diesel, waste cooking oil-based biodiesel has lower endpoint environmental impacts but higher impacts on climate change and other factors. The life cycle cost of the biodiesel is mainly influenced by waste cooking oil collection.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mari Hupponen, Jouni Havukainen, Mika Horttanainen
Summary: Waste management processes have undergone significant development in recent decades and will continue to evolve alongside their environmental impacts. This study examines the climate change impacts of waste management, specifically focusing on the historical development and possible future trends. Using the city of Lappeenranta in Finland as a case study, the study calculates the climate impacts of household waste management in 2009, 2019, and projected 2029 scenarios. The results demonstrate a considerable decrease in net climate change impact due to improved waste management practices, such as directing mixed residual waste to energy recovery instead of landfill. Furthermore, the findings highlight the importance of transitioning towards renewable energy sources and increasing recycling rates to further reduce the climate change impacts of waste management.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shu Su, Shimeng Li, Jingyi Ju, Qian Wang, Zhao Xu
Summary: This study combines BIM, GIS, and LCA to develop a system for estimating and evaluating building demolition waste, allowing for automated waste estimation and impact evaluation at the design stage. The system can help understand and minimize the potential environmental impacts of building demolition waste.
Article
Environmental Studies
Thomas Elliot, Alan Carter, Sumedha Ghattuwar, Annie Levasseur
Summary: Road pavement has significant environmental impacts throughout its life cycle. Recycling methods, such as using reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), can improve environmental performance, although they are not without drawbacks. In this study, we assessed the environmental trade-offs of a road rehabilitation project using different quantities and blends of RAP over a 30-year service life. The results show that using RAP with cold in-place recycling can improve environmental indicators, such as climate change, with only a slight increase in transportation impact. This research contributes to understanding the potential improvements in pavement rehabilitation supply chains.
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART D-TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Haimei Li, Yi Tian, Zhulin Li, Chao Wu, Yili Liu
Summary: The economic and environmental impacts of the reverse logistics process of the waste disposal chain were studied in Xi an City, China. The financial costs per ton of food waste and residual waste were $46.35-$49.03 and $62.52-$88.84, respectively. The environmental impacts accounted for a high percentage in the entire waste management chains, with labor costs as the biggest financial expenditure and the fuel cycle of C&T vehicles as the major cause of environmental impacts. Source-separated waste management scenarios had more environmental benefits but poorer economic positions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ethan Errington, Miao Guo, Jerry Y. Y. Heng
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impacts of Synthetic Amorphous Silica (SAS) production using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). It evaluates the use of rice husk as a biomass-derived feedstock alternative and highlights potential benefits in specific cases.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Huanyu Wu, Jian Zuo, George Zillante, Jiayuan Wang, Huabo Duan
Summary: The study reveals that in Australia, if the recycling rate exceeds 50%, the environmental impact of recycling will surpass the environmental impact value, with steel playing a critical role in most environmental indicators. Furthermore, the cross-regional mobility of construction and demolition waste can reduce the environmental impacts of waste.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Olga Ballus, Meritxell Guix, Grau Baquero, Anna Bacardit
Summary: The purpose of this study was to develop a biopolymer using non-petroleum based raw materials in order to minimize environmental impact. An acrylic-based retanning product was designed, with a portion of the fossil-based materials replaced by biomass-derived polysaccharides. Life cycle assessment and biodegradability tests were conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of the new biopolymer. The results showed that the new biopolymer had similar organoleptic characteristics, higher biodegradability, and better exhaustion compared to the standard fossil-based product.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Elena Rossi, Francesco Pasciucco, Renato Iannelli, Isabella Pecorini
Summary: This study compares the environmental impacts of a conventional management strategy to recover biomethane and compost with a dry anaerobic biorefinery recovering biomethane, fertilizers, and PHAs from organic waste. The analysis reveals that the conventional strategy outperforms the novel approach in terms of environmental performance. Among the different methods for PHA recovery, extraction with ethyl acetate is the most environmentally sustainable and promising technique.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jing Li, Wei Li, Lei Wang, Baihui Jin
Summary: Food waste in university canteens results in significant environmental impact and economic loss, with a large portion of the impact coming from energy use in cooking and consumption of animal food types. The integration of life cycle cost calculations highlights the importance of labor required for cooking, providing valuable insights for policy-making to reduce food waste and carbon emissions in university canteens.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Diogo A. Lopes Silva, Gabriela Giusti, Izabela S. Rampasso, Antonio Carlos Farrapo Junior, Manoela Anechini Simoes Marins, Rosley Anholon
Summary: The study found that remote classes during the COVID-19 pandemic tend to minimize the overall evaluated impacts to ten of the thirteen impact categories. An optimal scenario was also proposed showing an overall minimization of the impacts by up to 57%, if a hybrid class model were to be adopted.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2021)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yi-Chen Lan, Vivian Wy Tam, Weiqi Xing, Rina Datt, Zhonghua Chan
Summary: There is a lack of research on the environmental impacts of cut flowers from growing facilities to end consumers, and no review has been conducted on this topic. Current studies on life cycle assessment (LCA) of cut flowers show inconsistencies in the choice of functional unit and a focus on carbon footprint and energy consumption. The various flower species and cultivation methods make it challenging to compare environmental performance. To enhance environmental sustainability, suggestions include improving greenhouse technology, implementing integrated nutrient and pest management, introducing certification and labeling for cut flowers, developing sea transport with refrigerated containers, and increasing consumer awareness of environmental impact. There is still room for improvement in LCA of cut flowers, particularly in terms of allocation, waste treatment, and uncertainty analysis.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Akos Cseke, Merryn Haines-Gadd, Paul Mativenga, Fiona Charnley, Bradley Thomas, Justin Perry
Summary: Products using self-healing materials have the potential to extend product lifespan, reduce waste, and enhance product safety. The study found that avoided production due to increased service of the product has the greatest impact, followed by electricity requirements and 3D printing efficiency. Water consumption in raw material manufacturing of PLA and PU should be targeted for reducing water footprint research.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yan Zhao, Anders Damgaard, Shan Liu, Huimin Chang, Thomas H. Christensen
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2020)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Trine Henriksen, Thomas F. Astrup, Anders Damgaard
Summary: A novel framework is proposed for the evaluation of representativeness of LCI data, including an analysis of data importance and modification of quality criteria based on unit process characteristics. The framework involves analyzing temporal, geographical, and technological characteristics to ensure data relevance, as demonstrated in a case study on household waste incineration in Denmark. Although time demanding, the method provides unique data quality criteria for waste incineration unit processes.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Vinay Yadav, M. A. Sherly, Pallav Ranjan, Rafael O. Tinoco, Alessio Boldrin, Anders Damgaard, Alexis Laurent
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
T. H. Christensen, A. Damgaard, J. Levis, Y. Zhao, A. Bjorklund, U. Arena, M. A. Barlaz, V Starostina, A. Boldrin, T. F. Astrup, V Bisinella
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Concetta Lodato, Bahram Zarrin, Anders Damgaard, Hubert Baumeister, Thomas Fruergaard Astrup
Summary: This study introduces four novel LCA modeling features that can provide critical insights into areas such as circular economy and waste management. The case-study demonstrates that the new modeling approach for physical flows significantly affects both results and interpretation of the LCA modeling.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hanwen Guo, Yan Zhao, Anders Damgaard, Qian Wang, Hongtao Wang, Thomas H. Christensen, Wenjing Lu
Summary: Biorefining of Chinese food waste into transport fuels can result in savings in Global Warming Potential, with different combinations of biogas, biomethane, bioethanol and biodiesel producing varying results. The electricity production, biodiesel and biomethane production have significant impacts on GWP.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Valentina Bisinella, Tore Hulgaard, Christian Riber, Anders Damgaard, Thomas H. Christensen
Summary: The effects of integrating carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology into municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) differ depending on the air pollution control technologies and energy recovery systems. Despite reductions in electricity output and energy penalties, CCS can lower the climate change impact of MSWI, with greater benefits in cleaner energy systems. The main factor affecting the overall results is the capture efficiency, with increasing importance in non-fossil fuel-based energy systems.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Maria Farago, Anders Damgaard, Jeanette Agertved Madsen, Jacob Kragh Andersen, Dines Thornberg, Mikkel Holmen Andersen, Martin Rygaard
Summary: Operators of wastewater treatment plants are retrofitting existing facilities to implement new technologies for resource recovery. This study combines life cycle assessment and economic evaluations to quantify the environmental and economic impacts of transitioning existing wastewater treatment plants into water resource recovery facilities. The implementation of real-time N2O control, biological biogas upgrading, and pre-filtration technologies showed promising results in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving resource recovery.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Huimin Chang, Yan Zhao, Silan Zhao, Anders Damgaard, Thomas H. Christensen
Summary: Thermal treatment of sewage sludge has gained significant attention in recent years. Numerous papers have discussed the mass flows, energy, and emissions data related to incineration, gasification, and pyrolysis of sewage sludge. Incineration is an established technology, but there is limited data on flue gas cleaning and air emissions. Gasification and pyrolysis are experimental technologies with varying output data.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Farago, Anders Damgaard, Morten Rebsdorf, Per Henrik Nielsen, Martin Rygaard
Summary: Wastewater treatment is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, and we investigated the accounting of emissions in three advanced wastewater treatment facilities. The results showed the importance of electricity consumption and direct emissions, and we proposed recommendations for accurate reporting and accounting. The facilities have made progress in offsetting emissions, and our study provides guidance for wastewater operators in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Maria Farago, Anders Damgaard, Ivana Logar, Martin Rygaard
Summary: In Europe, sewage sludge is commonly used in agriculture or incinerated. However, emerging technologies like sludge pyrolysis have the potential to transform wastewater treatment plants into water resource recovery facilities. A life cycle assessment and cost-benefit analysis were conducted to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of sludge pyrolysis. The results showed that pyrolysis reduced environmental impacts and had positive economic net present value compared to using sludge in agriculture, but pyrolysis with biochar production was not as beneficial as incineration.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Huimin Chang, Yan Zhao, Ankun Xu, Anders Damgaard, Thomas H. Christensen
Summary: System modelling of sewage sludge treatment is an important area of research for comparing and optimizing technologies. A review of literature on relevant parameters revealed significant variations in the compositional data of thickened and dewatered sludge, but most of the data followed a lognormal distribution. The average total solid content was 3.3% for thickened sludge and 21.0% for dewatered sludge. Other important parameters included ash content, lower heating value, and biochemical methane potential. These data provide valuable insights for modelling sewage sludge treatment systems, but further characterization of sludge is needed in the future.
WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Huimin Chang, Yan Zhao, Ankun Xu, Anders Damgaard, Thomas H. Christensen
Summary: Technological comparison and system modelling of sewage sludge treatment are crucial for sustainable development and climate change mitigation. Dewatering and drying processes play a significant role in reducing volume and are essential for further sludge treatment. However, the scarcity of data limits the detailed analysis of the relationships between inputs and outputs for these technologies. Nevertheless, the available data can serve as a starting point for planning sludge management. Additional data on energy consumption and water composition from full-scale plants are strongly needed to improve the inventory and support future studies.
WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Ana Rosa Aon Cardoso Fernandes, Bruno Eduardo Lobo Baeta, Anders Damgaard
Summary: The goal of neutrality in greenhouse gas emissions has led to increased exploration of renewable fuels. This study suggests using life-cycle assessment (LCA) to identify critical areas in hydrothermal pretreatment of biomass and evaluate its potential as a renewable fuel. The assessment revealed limitations in lab assumptions. In Brazil, the two-stage co-digestion of hydrothermal pretreated biomass showed promising results, reducing CO2 emissions compared to the business-as-usual scenario. Only Brazil and Spain demonstrated potential for exploring this proposal among top beer-producing countries.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Huimin Chang, Yan Zhao, Valentina Bisinella, Anders Damgaard, Thomas H. Christensen
Summary: We quantified the potential climate change impacts of eight conventional technology configurations for sewage sludge treatment and disposal, considering different energy exchanges. The results showed that all configurations had large climate change loads and savings when using fossil-based energy systems, while the impacts were approximately three times lower when using renewable energy systems. Landfilling had the greatest climate change impact, while thermal drying with incineration had the highest probability of better climate change performance.