Process contributions to life cycle impacts of municipal solid waste management options in Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study assessed the process contributions to life cycle impacts of six developed municipal solid waste management (MSWM) options (A1-A6) for Harare. Results show that waste collection contributes to increased acidification, eutrophication and global warming of 0.012, 0.0002 and 0.065 species.yr respectively as well as human health impact potential of 34 DALYs across all the MSWM options. Anaerobic digestion contributed to increased acidification, eutrophication and global warming impact potentials of 0.053, 0,008 and 0.043 species.yr respectively and 52 DALYs under MSWM options A3 to A6. Overall, incineration performed better than landfilling. The recovery of 20% of the recoverable materials for reuse and recycle under MSWM options A5 and A6 contributes to impacts reductions of -0.05, -0.004 and -0.26 species.yr with regards to acidification, eutrophication and global warming respectively and -56 DALYs with regards to human health. Therefore, strategies earmarked at reducing the positive contributions need to be developed.