Impact Categories Research Articles

Environmental Footprints of Yogurt Production: A Case Study of a Small-Scale Manufacturing Process in Sri Lanka

This study investigated the life cycle environmental impacts of yogurt production from cradle to gate at the Pulathisi milk factory in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. The functional unit considered was one kilogram of yogurt produced in the factory using existing technology. The defined system boundary encompassed raw milk production and transportation, machinery fabrication, standardization of milk, and standard unit operations of yogurt production. Material and energy usage data were collected through a series of observations, literature and Ecoinvent 3.7.1 databases. The ReCiPe 2008 method was employed for impact analysis, considering eighteen impact categories with SimaPro software. The inventory analysis included material consumption for machinery fabrication, energy consumption, and emissions for each unit operation in yogurt production. Results were characterized using midpoint indicators, and normalized impacts were calculated. The characterized outcomes of the yogurt production process contributed 2.48 kgCO2eq to climate change, 0.0297 kgSO2eq to acidification, 0.0002 kgPeq to eutrophication, and 6.9199 kg 1,4-DBeq to human toxicity. The study identified hotspots, emphasizing the significant contributions of cow milk production and electricity usage to environmental impacts. Potential mitigations, such as improved waste management in dairy farming and switching to renewable energy sources, are proposed to address these impacts. The normalized impacts provided insights for decision-makers and stakeholders to compare environmental performances and guide sustainable practices in yogurt production. The total impact was recorded as 0.014-person equivalent per year per one kilogram of yogurt.

A Comparative Analysis of the Environmental Impacts of Wood–Aluminum Window Production in Two Life Cycle Assessment Software

In the construction sector, there is a shift towards environmentally conscious practices that prioritize the minimization of environmental burdens. In this study, we dealt with a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) of a wood–aluminum window in two software tools. SimaPro (PRé Sustainability) and Sphera LCA for Experts (formerly known as GaBi) were selected. The results from both software tools were compared to assess the output uniformity of the two selected tools. The results indicate the similarities and differences in the software tools. The most similar results were achieved for impact categories Photochemical Ozone Formation (1.1% difference), Human Toxicity, cancer (total) (3.6% difference), Climate Change (3.7% difference) and for Resource Use, fossils (4.5% difference), respectively. On the other hand, the results were most different in the impact categories Ozone Depletion (84.7% difference), Resource Use, minerals and metals (75% difference), Ecotoxicity, freshwater—inorganics (35.6%) and Ecotoxicity, freshwater (total) (31.2%), respectively. The differences in the LCA results between SimaPro and GaBi were analyzed in-depth and were mainly attributable to using different databases in the transportation process and due to different system boundaries in some processes, with the Ecoinvent data containing significantly more background processes and inconsistencies in the implemented characterization factors.

Comparative life cycle assessment of non-thermal plasma for the removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewater

Wastewater effluents are a continuous source of pharmaceuticals in water bodies, which pose a serious environmental threat to aquatic ecosystems. This work provides a comprehensive technical, environmental and cost assessments of different advanced quaternary treatments for wastewater effluents, with special focus on novel Non-Thermal Plasma technology. For this porpouse Non-Thermal Plasma, Sand Filtration + Ozonation, Ultrafiltration, Ultrafiltration + Nanofiltration and Ultrafiltration + Reverse Osmosis technologies were compared with UV disinfection-based technology. This work applies the Life Cycle Analysis tool for the impact environmental assessment using both ReciPE 2016(H) method and, for a more detailed analysis of the contribution of pharmaceuticals to freshwater ecotoxicity category of impact, the USETOX method, which was integrated with 7 new characterisation factors. The results obtained showed overall removal efficiency of pharmaceuticals always higher than 80%, with performances in descending order of Ultrafiltration + Reverse Osmosis > Sand Filtration + Ozonation > Ultrafiltration + Nanofiltration > Non-Thermal Plasma, being Sand Filtration + Ultraviolet disinfection and standalone Ultrafiltration comparatively not suitable for pharmaceuticals removal. Regarding the target pharmaceuticals proposed on the EU Directive 271/91 revision, the Non-Thermal Plasma perform better towards venlafaxine than Sand Filtration + Ozonation, and towards diclofenac and carbamazepine than Ultrafiltration + Nanofiltration. Ultrafiltration + Nanofiltration and Non-Thermal Plasma showed better environmental performance than Sand Filtration + Ozonation and Ultrafiltration + Reverse Osmosis in 7 out of 18 categories of impact (ReciPe method), with Ultrafiltration + Nanofiltration being more advantageous than Non-Thermal Plasma in human and ecotoxicity-related categories of impact, and Non-Thermal Plasma more advantageous in Global Warming, Fossil Resource Scarcity, and Fine Particulate Matter Formation. Regrading Freshwater Ecotoxicity (USEtox method), the quaternary treatment configuration and its energy demand affect the Freshwater final value of impact more than the presence of pharmaceuticals. Under the conditions tested, the Non-Thermal Plasma provided the lower OPEX (0.24 € m−3) than other tested technologies, showing an interesting compromise between pharmaceuticals removal efficiency, environmental impacts, and economic operational cost.

Reuse of polyvinyl chloride residues—in powder and fiber forms—as potential components for green mortar pavers

Plastic wastes are considered a significant environmental pollution load because of their mostly non-biodegradable nature. Consequently, the need to lessen the environmental impact calls for employing eco-friendly strategies such as reusing materials in construction. The objective of this study is to analyze the mechanical behavior and environmental impacts of mortar elements, with a specific focus on pavers, by incorporating waste polyvinyl chloride (WPVC) as aggregate and partially replacing cement. Two distinct forms of this waste were considered in the investigation: (i) as it is generated in industrial processes, mainly in fiber form, WPVCf, and in the form of powder obtained by sieving the former, WPVCp. The ratio of conventional mortar materials replaced by WPVC and the final water-to-binder ratio changed based on waste type and mix workability. The experimental work involved preparing 84 pavers, each measuring 100 mm × 150 mm × 60 mm. For each type of paver, 12 samples were prepared, ensuring a minimum of 4 sets of test data for each curing period (7, 14, and 28 days). Flexural strength tests, conducted in accordance with the Colombian standard NTC 2017, utilized a standard flexural test machine with a 150 kN capacity. A specially designed steel tool applied a point load at the center of each paving block, maintaining a minimum distance of 10 millimeters from the edges. The findings demonstrated that pavers containing fiber plastic waste exhibited the requisite strength for paved walkways, even in the short term, when the weight ratio of WPVCf to sand (WPVCf/S) was 24 %. These results derive an eco-friendly solution for reusing PVC wastes currently deposited directly in landfills. Moreover, to analyze the environmental impacts of this solution, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis was carried out in this research. The LCA results pointed out that dosing with a WPVCf/S ratio of 24 % emerges as the most ecologically responsible, manifesting substantial reductions across impact categories, such as a significant 23 % decrease in climate change, a 23 % reduction in Photochemical ozone formation, and a 22 % reduction in renewable energy consumption. This underscores the potential of WPVCf incorporation as a consequential step toward eco-friendly construction materials. Furthermore, this solution not only translates to diminished paving block costs by requiring less fine aggregate and cement but also contributes to reduced transportation expenses owing to the decreased weight of the pavers.

Consequential life cycle assessment of urban source-separating sanitation systems complementing centralized wastewater treatment in Lund, Sweden

This study examined various source-separating sanitation systems to evaluate their environmental performance, providing decision-makers with insights for selecting an appropriate system for a newly developed neighborhood in Sweden. A full consequential LCA was conducted to account for resource recovery and substitution. The local wastewater treatment plant WWTP was modeled as a reference. Secondly, a urine recycling system was introduced to treat 75% of the collected urine, with the remainder piped to the WWTP. Thirdly, a black and greywater (BW&GW) treatment system handling all generated wastewater was examined. Finally, a hybrid source-separating system combining urine, black, and greywater was investigated. The results indicated that the four scenarios exhibited global warming potentials (GWP) of 78, 62, 32, and 24 kg CO2-eq per PE/ y. Recycling urine as fertilizer led to a 20% reduction in the GWP of the reference. It also reduced other impact categories, with a 55%, 65%, and 45% reduction in eutrophication, ozone depletion, and acidification, respectively. The BW&GW system achieved a 60% reduction over the reference GWP, mainly due to fertilizer, biogas, and cleanwater recovery. Integrating urine, black, and greywater recycling in the final scenario achieved a 25% reduction compared to the BW&GW scenario, primarily due to lowering of the ammonia stripping GWP and the additional fertilizer recovery. Based on sensitivity analyses, switching citric acid for sulfuric acid reduced the GWP of the urine stabilization unit process by 101%, from 15.47 to -0.14 kg CO2-eq per PE/ y. Ultimately, the findings suggest that the fully decentralized source-separating sanitation system incorporating urine, blackwater, and greywater recycling, particularly when combined with 70% energy recovery at the urine concentrator, is most favorable.

Contribution of ultra-processed food and animal-plant protein intake ratio to the environmental impact of Belgian diets

There is growing concern about the various impacts of food consumption, both on human and planetary health. Given the context-specific nature of consumption patterns, evaluating their national-level impacts is crucial for proactive policy development. This research aims to evaluate the environmental impact of current Belgian diets, with particular attention to the contribution of food groups, ultra-processed foods (UPF), and the animal-to-plant protein ratio. The methodology consists of three key stages. Firstly, the Belgian diet was summarised, based on data from the Belgian National Food Consumption Survey 2014/2015. Secondly, the origin of the most frequently consumed foods was traced using trade databases. Finally, a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment was conducted to determine the impact of Belgian diets on climate change, water use, land use, and fossil resource scarcity. In this third step, an iterative procedure for selecting the food items to be included in the study was performed. The iterative approach resulted in the inclusion of 227 food items in the analysis. The results indicate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 4.4 [4.27–4.54] kg CO2-equivalent per person per day. Red meat (35 %), beverages (16 %), dairy products (16 %) and snacks (10 %) are identified as primary contributors to climate change. Similar results were observed for land use impacts. Water use and fossil resource scarcity exhibited different trends, with beverages being the most impactful food group. Moreover, UPF account for 50 % of the total climate change and land use impacts, with a linear relationship observed between increased UPF consumption and GHG emissions and land use. A similar linear trend is observed between the ratio of animal-to-plant protein intake and both climate change and land use impact categories. A shift from the current protein ratio to a ratio of 40/60, as suggested in the Flemish Green Deal Protein Shift has been shown to result in a reduction in GHG emissions of the diet by 31 %. This study emphasises the need to target the consumption of high-impact foods such as UPF and animal-based products. Future research will investigate the relationship between environmental and health impacts.

Sustainability assessment of granite cutting waste incorporated cement sand rendering mortar: Technical, Environmental, Cost, and Social parameters

The literature statistics unmistakably highlight the critical need to enhance the construction industry's sustainability to lower environmental damage and conserve natural resources. This study aims to evaluate the life cycle performance of mortar by assessing its ecological impacts, economic performance, and social feasibility, alongside a thorough technical performance evaluation. The technical performance evaluation performed through physio-mechanical performance revealed that 20% natural sand replaced by granite cutting waste (GCW) is best suitable for rendering application. The compatibility of GCW as natural sand is advocated by SEM and FTIR analysis. The three pillars of sustainability are evaluated as life cycle environmental impacts assessment (LCIA), life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) and social feasibility assessment (SLCA). For LCIA purposes, nine environmental impact (EI) categories have been studied. For LCCA, raw material procurement, transportation, repair, and maintenance have been utilized to obtain the life cycle costing. Social LCA (SLCA) was performed qualitatively through a five-point Likert scale-based questionnaire survey, and responses from 125 stakeholders were analyzed using mean item score (MIS). The finding revealed that for GP20 mortar, all the nine EI categories had shown 10-13% lower environmental impacts and 7.2% lower cost than the GP0 mortar mix. The SLCA, comprising five subcategories, i.e., access to material resources, social acceptance, employment creations, safe and healthy living conditions, and community engagement, has positively impacted society when 20% GCW is utilized in rendering mortar as sand. The consolidated index calculation with higher ECM values for the GP20 mortar mix strongly endorsed a sustainable and viable alternative.

Life Cycle Assessment of Brazilian Bleached Eucalyptus Kraft Pulp: Integrating Bleaching Processes and Biogenic Carbon Impacts

Bleached eucalyptus kraft (BEK) pulp dominates global pulp production, yet the environmental impacts of its bleaching sequences in Brazil are not fully explored. Addressing this gap, we conducted a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of three bleaching sequences: conventional elemental chlorine-free (ECF), ECF with oxygen delignification, and ECF with oxygen delignification plus acid washing. We estimated the average global warming potential (GWP) for BEK delivered to the U.S. and examined how forest carbon cycle (FCC) elements, specifically biogenic GWP (GWPbio) and potential soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, influence GWP outcomes. Results show that the ECF sequence with oxygen delignification and acid washing reduces GWP by 11% and outperforms conventional ECF in 10 out of 11 environmental impact categories. The average GWP for Brazilian BEK delivered to the U.S. is 576 kg CO₂-eq/ton. Sensitivity analyses demonstrate that adding GWPbio increases GWP by 18%, whereas accounting for potential SOC sequestration reduces it by 39%. These findings highlight the necessity of optimizing bleaching processes and developing a standardized BEK LCA model for comparing the environmental impact of different fibers. This work sets a precedent for integrating FCC elements into LCAs and underscores the potential of SOC sequestration in mitigating climate change impacts.

Comparative analysis of Environmental Impact of Each Building Material using Life Cycle assessment(LCA)_Focusing on Types of Construction Wood and Concrete

Objectives:The construction sector is a very important sector in achieving carbon neutrality. In modern society, construction has grown rapidly, and basic materials such as cement and concrete have contributed greatly to the development of construction. These materials emit a large amount of global warming substances during the raw material extraction and production process, causing serious environmental pollution. In order to establish a carbon reduction strategy to slow down global warming, we compared the environmental impacts of each building material and showed the current situation.Methods:The LCI DB for the construction materials used in the two-story wooden house (Building area 128.67m2, total floor area 235.73m2) located in the National Institute of Forest Science was extracted. Then, the data for LCA was processed and performed through the life cycle assessment methodology for the resources consumed from raw material collection, material production, and transportation stages. Then, based on the environmental performance labeling impact assessment method, a study was conducted on the environmental impact categories of the actual construction materials used and comparisons with other construction materials.Results and Discussion:When analyzing the environmental impact of concrete [25-21-120] and construction wood used in wooden house, the environmental impact was found to be 98.79% higher on average in the pre-manufacturing stage than in the manufacturing stage, and construction wood was confirmed to have a reduction effect of 62.21 kg CO2-eq per 1 m3 compared to concrete. Through the scenario, there was a carbon reduction effect of up to 36% when the entire area was replaced with wood. In addition, the environmental impact by major construction material was quantitatively quantified.Conclusion:When building a wooden house, reducing the amount of concrete equivalent to the amount of wood is expected to have a greenhouse gas reduction effect, so it is time to activate construction wood from the production process to the post-production stage to replace concrete. In addition, follow-up research on the development of construction technology with low environmental impact during construction should be continued. This study is expected to be used as a useful indicator for R&D and policies in the construction field in the future, as it quantitatively quantified the amount of CO2 reduction per m3 when replacing concrete with construction wood and numerically compared and analyzed six major environmental impact categories by major construction materials.

Biobased Compostable Plastics End-of-Life: Environmental Assessment Including Carbon Footprint and Microplastic Impacts

In this paper, we examine how traditional life-cycle assessment (LCA) for bio-based and compostable plastics overlooks issues surrounding carbon sequestration and microplastic persistence. To outline biased comparisons drawn from these omitted environmental impacts, we provide, as an example, a comparative LCA for compostable biobased vs. non-compostable fossil-based materials. In doing so we (1) demonstrate the proper way to capture carbon footprints to make fair comparisons and (2) identify the overlooked issues of microplastics and the need for non-persistent alternatives. By ensuring accurate biogenic carbon capture, key contributors to CO2 evolution are properly identified, allowing well-informed changes to formulations that can reduce the environmental impact of greenhouse gas emissions. In a complimentary manner, we summarize the growing research surrounding microplastic persistence and toxicity. We highlight the fundamental ability and the growing number of studies that show that industrial composting can completely mineralize certified compostable materials. This mineralization exists as a viable solution to combat microplastic persistence, currently an absent impact category in LCA. In summary, we propose a new paradigm in which the value proposition of biobased materials can be accurately captured while highlighting compostables as a solution for the increasing microplastic accumulation in the environment.

Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Tissue Paper Production

The environmental performance of tissue paper varies greatly based on factors such as the type of fibre used as the raw material, the production process and the fuels used to meet the energy requirements. One possible strategy to decrease greenhouse gas emissions in tissue production is the integration of pulp and paper mills and their energy systems at the same site. However, the environmental trade-offs associated with this strategy are still unclear. Therefore, this study aimed (i) to assess for the first time the environmental impacts of tissue paper produced at a typical industrial site in Portugal using slush and market pulp as the main raw material, and (ii) to assess the environmental effects of the integration of bioenergy produced in the pulp mill in tissue production. A life cycle assessment was conducted from cradle to gate using real data from the production of eucalyptus wood, eucalyptus pulp and tissue paper. The results showed that energy consumption in tissue paper production is the main hotspot for most impact categories. When bioenergy is used in tissue production, the environmental impacts decrease by up to 20% for categories other than marine eutrophication and mineral resource scarcity. These results are relevant to support decision making concerning sustainable practices not only for the pulp and paper industry but also for the authorities in charge of defining environmental policies, incentives and tax regulations.

Environmental Assessment of Forest-Based Industry Products with CAD-Integrated LCA Tools: A Comparative Case Study of Selected Software

The study evaluates how the environmental impacts of wooden products could be assessed in the early stages of product development using CAD-integrated life cycle assessment (LCA) tools. Focusing on a wooden chair design, the study compares the environmental impact results derived from LCA tools integrated in SolidWorks, NX and Fusion against a traditional LCA analysis performed using SimaPro. Methods involve analysing a chair model to measure the environmental impacts across different life cycle phases, such as material extraction and manufacturing. The results reveal that manufacturing processes, particularly electricity use, significantly contribute to environmental impacts, especially marine and freshwater ecotoxicity. Comparisons between LCA tools integrated into commercial CAD software and SimaPro 9.5.0.1. showed that while the tools deliver comparable results for global warming potential and other categories, they struggle with certain impact categories. The main distinguishing features of the results were methodological. Overall, the results aligned the most with the impact values calculated in Solidworks Sustainability. The study concludes that CAD-integrated tools are useful for early-stage environmental assessments but have limitations, particularly in their material databases and life cycle scope. For a comprehensive assessment, combining these tools with more detailed analysis methods may be necessary. The research suggests improvements for CAD-based tools to enhance their effectiveness in evaluating the environmental impact of wooden products.

Seaweed waste in eco-friendly construction materials: Valorization of Sargassum ash as a mineral addition in fiber cements

Many coastal regions have recently faced significant challenges due to the excessive accumulation of sargassum. This genus of brown marine algae generates greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide during decomposition, as well as toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. The substantial influx of these algae on shores brings far-reaching impacts on the environment, climate, health, and the economy. One way to mitigate these impacts is by using this biomass for energy production and applying the resulting ash as an alternative material in the construction industry. As such, this study aims to analyze the feasibility of sargassum ash as a replacement for limestone in fiber cement. This not only offers an environmentally responsible solution for its disposal, but also adds economic value to a material commonly seen as a waste. Several analyses were conducted on the physical and mechanical properties of fiber cement with varying percentages of limestone replaced by sargassum ash (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 %), as well as its durability and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The fiber cement with 100 % sargassum ash exhibited a 74 % increase in specific energy compared to the fiber cement without the ash after accelerated aging. This mix design also presented better environmental performance in 15 of the 18 impact categories. The results demonstrate that ash holds potential as an alternative material in fiber cement manufacturing.

Does the Use of the Yeast Probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae Actisaf Sc 47 Reduce the Environmental Impacts of Beef Cattle? A Study Based on Life Cycle Assessment

Increasing animal protein, especially from beef, is necessary to satisfy the requirements of the growing global population. However, this is becoming increasingly challenging due to stakeholders prioritizing sustainable systems with low environmental impacts. To answer these challenges, the use of feed additives such as yeast probiotics seems to be an effective route for improvements in feed efficiency and growth performance. The current study was performed to quantify the environmental impacts of the production and use of a yeast probiotic (Actisaf® Sc 47) through an LCA method in four trials performed during the fattening period: France (French trial), Spain (Spanish trial), and Italy (Italian trials A and B). During each trial, two groups of animals with the same characteristics were compared during the fattening period: the control group without Actisaf® Sc 47 supplementation used as a baseline, and the experimental group with Actisaf® Sc 47 supplementation. The calves started the trial at the ages of 224, 92, and 186 days during the French, Spanish, and Italian trials A and B, respectively. Of the sixteen impact category indicators, nine were analyzed. In Italian trials A and B, the Spanish trial, and the French trial, the use of Actisaf® Sc 47 reduced CC by 4.8, 3.8, 6.6, and 5.4%; FE by 4.8, 3.9, 8.2, and 6.3%; ME by 4.9, 4.0, 6, and 6.4%; and TE by 5.3, 4.1, and 6.2%, respectively. Moreover, during the same trials, Actisaf® Sc 47 reduced AC by 6.0, 4.1, 6.3, and 7.1%; LU by 4.7, 3.9, 5.8, and 6.1%; WU by 4.5, 3.4, 5.2, and 5.9%; RU (fossils) by 4.8, 3.7, 7.3, and 4.8%; and PM by 5.2, 4.1, 6.3, and 7.1%, respectively. The use of Actisaf® Sc 47 has beneficial effects on the environment. Regarding Actisaf® Sc 47 production, the results showed that the production of 1 kg of Actisaf® Sc 47 emitted 2.1 kg of CO2 eq, 60% of which came from the fermentation process and 39% from drying. The results demonstrate the interest in using Actisaf® Sc during the fattening period for its multiple positive outcomes: improving performance and efficiency, while reducing the global carbon footprint.

Modelling interrelations between C-ITS impact categories: a system-dynamics approach using causal loop diagrams

The growing number of connected vehicles has led to an increased focus on Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication in the field of transport research. This communication paradigm facilitates cooperation between vehicles and infrastructure to address traffic challenges such as efficiency, sustainability and safety. The development and standardisation of such Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) has been pursued in several projects. Beyond technical considerations, assessing the effect of these applications in terms of various impact categories is of paramount importance. However, existing research tends to examine impact categories such as efficiency, sustainability, safety, psychological or socioeconomic impacts separately, often overlooking potential interactions and interdependencies. This approach is inadequate as impacts on one category can have both cascading effects on others and rebound effects. To address this gap, this paper proposes a system dynamics approach using Causal Loop Diagrams (CLD) to illustrate the interconnectedness of impact categories and the potential impacts of C-ITS services. By depicting general relationships, interdependencies and feedback loops between impact category elements, the model accommodates the introduction of single or multiple C-ITS services as separate modules, allowing an analysis of their combined effects on the overall system. To this end, two use cases demonstrate the applicability of the developed CLD and illustrate some of the multiple interrelations between the effects of C-ITS services. The results of this paper support road operators and researchers when setting up the impact assessment of C-ITS services by revealing the dynamic and intertwined nature of different impact categories.

Integrating environmental sustainability into food-based dietary guidelines in the Nordic countries

The overall aim of this paper was to provide background knowledge to the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 Committee for integrating environmental sustainability in a framework for national Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG) within the Nordics and Baltics. Additionally, this paper aims to give an overview of recent Nordic scientific literature on environmental impact of foods and dietary patterns and of the FBDG of the Nordics. Finally, we suggest methods for developing national sustainable FBDG. Nordic and Baltic studies on sustainability of diets were searched in August 2022 and complemented with additional relevant literature. The studies show that current diets are far from environmentally sustainable, exceeding planetary boundaries for most impact categories; meat and dairy products being the largest contributors to dietary greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs) and land use. Scenario, modelling, optimisation and intervention studies confirm the potential of shifting towards more plant-based diets to improve overall diet quality in terms of both health and environmental sustainability. Such diets comprised of vegetables, fruits, legumes, potatoes, whole grain and refined cereal products, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils, with animal foods in moderate or limited amounts. The FBDG in the Nordics promotes more plant-based diets than the current average diet but could improve from further integration of environmental sustainability. To form basis for sustainable FBDG dietary modelling at the national level, prioritising health outcomes and nutritional adequacy is essential. Second, integrating environmental sustainability involves estimating the impact of food choices and amounts on GHGE, land and water use, eutrophication and biodiversity loss. Exploring positive and negative implications of fortified foods and supplementation in relation to nutrient intake, health and environmental sustainability may be needed. Implementing dietary transition requires solutions beyond FBDG to ensure affordability, acceptability and ease of adaption.

Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Cold Storage Panel Production

Today's ever-increasing environmental sustainability concerns have led to a major shift in construction sites and industrial sectors. In this context, the choice of construction materials for important structures such as cold storages plays an important role in terms of both environmental impacts and energy efficiency. The aim of this study is to evaluate the environmental loads of cold storage panels with thicknesses of 80 mm, 100 mm, 120 mm, 150 mm, 180 mm and 200 mm. In order to reveal the production inputs that cause these loads, the environmental effects were examined specifically for the 100 mm thick cold storage panel. Environmental impacts were analyzed using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method in accordance with the ISO 14040/44 methodology as a system boundary "cradle to gate". This study focused on three different environmental impact categories of cold storage panels produced in Türkiye: global warming potential (GWP), cumulative energy demand (CED) and water footprint. In the evaluation of environmental impacts, production inventory information obtained from the panel manufacturer was used. For analyses, Simapro v. 8.5 LCA software was used. Analysis results show that the use of galvanized sheet metal in cold storage panel production is a hot spot in terms of global warming effect. It has been determined that the largest share in the water footprint belongs to polyurethane used as insulation material. Additionally, according to the CED, non-renewable fossil and non-renewable nuclear were determined to be the most affected categories, and the use of galvanized sheet metal and polyurethane were determined to be the most important hot spots in terms of non-renewable and renewable resources. To help improve the environmental performance of the cold storage panel, it is recommended to use bio-based and less environmentally impactful raw materials in production and to measure their environmental impact on a life cycle basis from cradle to grave.

Spatially Explicit Life Cycle Global Warming and Eutrophication Potentials of Confined Dairy Production in the Contiguous US

Assessing the spatially explicit life cycle environmental impacts of livestock production systems is critical for understanding the spatial heterogeneity of environmental releases and devising spatially targeted remediation strategies. This study presents the first spatially explicit assessment on life cycle global warming and eutrophication potentials of confined dairy production at a county scale in the contiguous US. The Environmental Policy Integrated Climate model was used to estimate greenhouse gases (GHGs), NH3, and aqueous nutrient releases of feed production. The Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation model and Commodity Flow Survey were used to assess GHGs and NH3 from feed transportation. Emission-factor-based approaches were primarily used to calculate GHGs from enteric fermentation, and GHGs, NH3, and aqueous nutrient releases from manure management. Characterization factors reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Tool for Reduction and Assessment of Chemicals and other Environmental Impacts model were used to compute global warming and eutrophication potentials, respectively. The analyses revealed that life cycle global warming and eutrophication potentials of confined dairy production presented significant spatial heterogeneity among the US counties. For example, the life cycle global warming potential ranged from 462 kg CO2-eq/head to 14,189 kg CO2-eq/head. Surprisingly, sourcing feed locally cannot effectively reduce life cycle global warming and eutrophication potentials of confined dairy production. The feed supply scenarios with the lowest life cycle environmental impacts depend on the life cycle environmental impacts of feed production, geographic locations of confined dairy production, and specific impact categories. In addition, installing buffer strips in feed-producing hotspots can effectively reduce life cycle nutrient releases of confined dairy production. If 200 counties with the highest life cycle EP of corn adopt buffer strips, the reduction in life cycle EP of confined dairy production could reach 24.4%.

An Environmental Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste Management Strategies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Comparative Life Cycle Analysis

The environmental implications of various municipal solid waste (MSW) management systems in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, were analysed considering the Riyadh Green Initiative through a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This study evaluates five distinct scenarios: unsanitary landfilling (Sc0), incineration (Sc1), and a combination of technologies such as anaerobic digestion (AD) and a material recovery facility (MRF) in scenarios Sc2–Sc4. These scenarios were assessed using GaBi 9.2.1 software, employing the impact methodology outlined by CML (2001) to evaluate eight impact categories, including Global Warming and Acidification Potentials, among others. The findings indicate that scenarios incorporating the treatment of 100% of recyclable and organic waste through AD exhibited substantial environmental benefits. Additionally, Sc2 demonstrated the lowest environmental burdens across all impact categories. In contrast, Sc0 ranked the worst in all categories due to the absence of gas and leachate treatment. The results were shown to be reliable when compared qualitatively to previous studies. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess this study’s system boundaries and the impact of the MRF rate. Overall, this research provides valuable insights for optimising MSW management practices in Riyadh, aiming to reduce their environmental impacts and align with the goals of the Riyadh Green Initiative.

Dynamic process simulation for life cycle inventory data acquisition – Environmental assessment of biological and chemical phosphorus removal

In Sweden, phosphorus is commonly removed from municipal wastewater treatment by chemical precipitation (CP). Recently, such alternatives as enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) have garnered interest due to the increased risk of chemical shortage. In this study, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed to compare EBPR and CP in three scenarios: 1) baseline – precipitation chemicals available, 2) stricter effluent requirements – precipitation chemicals available, and 3) chemical shortage – no precipitation chemicals available. Data acquisition that was based on dynamic process simulation was useful, yielding more site-specific results, in contrast to standard literature values. The results indicated substantial differences in greenhouse gas emissions between configurations (around three times higher methane emissions for EBPR compared to CP configurations – although this finding requires further validation). These differences suggest that different emission factors for EBPR and CP should be considered. Furthermore, it is suggested to include waterline methane emissions, at least when the configuration incorporates anaerobic reactors in the water line. Further validation of emissions is necessary, especially for EBPR plants with side-stream hydrolysis and digester reject water treatment. The LCA results showed a similar overall environmental impact for both configurations, but the results of individual impact categories differed. EBPR caused greater climate impact due to the larger direct emissions of methane. Toxicity was more important for CP, based on the inherent heavy metal content in precipitation chemicals. Freshwater eutrophication was similar for both configurations, assuming that precipitation chemicals were available. However, if the recipient is sensitive, implementing EBPR reduces the freshwater eutrophication potential by 75% during a chemical shortage, and should be considered.