Environmental Impact Indicators Research Articles

Prospective life cycle environmental impact assessment of renewable energy-based methanol production system: A case study in China

Integrating renewable electricity and green hydrogen with CO2 utilization to produce chemicals has drawn much attention due to its low carbon emission characteristics. The goal of this paper is to investigate the environmental sustainability of producing a steady hourly output of methanol by utilizing electricity and hydrogen produced via renewable energy resources, and CO2 captured from a coal-fired power plant located in Inner Mongolia, China. Six renewable energy-based electricity and hydrogen systems are considered based on photovoltaic, wind turbines and combinations thereof, including battery and grid technologies. The environmental impact indicators of these system are compared comprehensively through life cycle assessment approach, including not only global warming potential but also fossil fuel depletion, water & soil & air pollution indices and human health index. The results indicate that the most environmentally friendly system is Case B2 which uses photovoltaic to produce hydrogen and electricity, with battery for energy storage and excess electricity sold back to grid. It shows apparently the best sustainability performance in global warming potential, which is 0.105 kg CO2-eq per kg methanol. In general, the proposed six systems outperform conventional methanol production systems in terms of global warming potential and abiotic depletion potential, with reductions ranging from 74% to 92% and 51.1%–73.8% respectively, but they have high levels in other environmental sustainability indicators such as human toxicity, eutrophication potential, and ozone layer depletion potential due to the photovoltaic electricity generation unit. The findings highlight that it is essential to consider a comprehensive range of environmental sustainability indicators when developing renewable energy-based methanol systems on a large scale.

Lifespan of wooden houses and analysis of their environmental and social indicators

AbstractThis paper deals with life cycle analysis of three wooden houses in terms of environmental impact indicators, construction, and operational costs. At the same time, indoor environmental quality of the houses is investigated. From the results achieved, it can be concluded that wooden house 3 shows the lowest emissions of CO2e/m2.year compared to other houses. Based on overall investigation wooden house 1 is the most advantageous. Concrete structures and mineral wool have the highest share of global warming potential. On the contrary wooden house 3 has the largest life cycle costs. Results of indoor environmental quality show that the permissible limits of the measured physical and chemical factors are not exceeded during the measurement.

Environmental Impact Assessment of Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Plant for Heat and Electricity Production

This work is focused on presenting the main results and discussions concerning the environmental benefits of reducing the non-condensable gases emitted from the Nesjavellir geothermal power plant. The primary objective of this study is to conduct a life cycle evaluation to analyse the overall environmental benefit effects of producing 1 kWh of electricity and 1 kWh of thermal energy in the geothermal power plant at Nesjavellir, which is located in Iceland. The assessment is performed both before and after implementing an abatement system designed to reduce CO2 and H2S gases. The production of geothermal energy is increasing every year and, therefore, it is crucial to identify and quantify the key environmental factors of producing this type of energy and improvements for the future energy transition of the energy generation sector. Firstly, the results show that the environmental impact of electricity production is higher compared to heat production. More in detail, the emissions due to the nature of the geothermal fluid and the construction phase represent the most relevant environmental load for both electricity and heat production for nearly all the 18 environmental impact indicators studied. Furthermore, considering the abatement system for the non-condensable gas emissions, reductions of 78% and 60% in global warming potential is achieved for a production of 1 kWh of electricity and 1 kWh of thermal energy. In terms of external environmental costs, the implementation of an abatement system results in a reduction exceeding 95% for both electricity and thermal energy production per kilowatt-hour. The outcomes obtained from both the baseline scenario and the application of the abatement system undeniably prove that the latter results in a substantial decrease in the overall environmental impacts linked to the generation of 1 kWh of electricity and 1 kWh of heat, encompassing a notable reduction in external environmental costs (externalities).

Evaluation of the Turkey Nutrition and Health Surveys according to the mediterranean adequacy index and sustainability through water footprints.

Sustainable diet is one of the main factors that support food security, and the Mediterranean diet (MD) one of the sustainable diet models associated with low ecological impact and optimum health results has come to the fore. It was aimed to compare the results of the 2010 and 2017 Turkey Nutrition and Health Studies (TNHS) according to the Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI) and in order to evaluate the environmental impact of the current nutritional status in Turkey through water footprints (WF). The MAI score was calculated using the published results of the 2010 and 2017 TNHS, and the WF have been calculated as indicators of environmental impact. Turkey. There are no participants. In the TNHS, there was an increase in the amount of energy provided by foods non-MD in 2017 compared to 2010, with a decrease in the total MAI score. The group with the lowest adherence to the MD in both years was the adult group (MAI20102·74 and MAI20172·31), while the group with the highest adherence was the adolescent group (MAI20103·21 and MAI20172·53). The MAI scores of females were higher than those of males in both years. The males aged 19-64 years had the largest (841 m3/year) WF and the females aged 65+ years had the smallest (483 m3/year). The food group that contributed the most to WF was meat and meat products (21·0-35·0 %). Adherence to the MD has decreased due to the increase in the consumption of the Western-type diet in Turkey.

Parametric Life Cycle Assessment of Nuclear Power for Simplified Models.

Electrifying the global economy is accepted as a main decarbonization lever to reach the Paris Agreement targets. The IEA's 2050 Net Zero transition pathways all involve some degree of nuclear power, highlighting its potential as a low-carbon electricity source. Greenhouse gas emissions of nuclear power reported in the life cycle assessment literature vary widely, from a few grams of CO2 equivalents to more than 100 g/kWh, globally. The reasons for such a variation are often misunderstood when reported and used by policymakers. To fill this gap, one can make LCA models explicit, exploring the role of the most significant parameters, and develop simplified models for the scientific community, policymakers, and the public. We developed a parametric cradle-to-grave life cycle model with 20 potentially significant variables: ore grade, extraction technique, enrichment technique, and power plant construction requirements, among others. Average GHG emissions of global nuclear power in 2020 are found to be 6.1 g CO2 equiv/kWh, whereas pessimistic and optimistic scenarios provide extreme values of 5.4-122 g CO2 equiv/kWh. We also provide simplified models, one per environmental impact indicator, which can be used to estimate environmental impacts of electricity generated by a pressurized water reactor without running the full-scale model.

Comparative analysis of entropy and environmental impacts of shipping operations on arctic and international routes

With the increasing interest in Arctic shipping operations mostly due to global warming, while increasing the sectoral effects in route management, possible environmental sustainability effects are noteworthy. This study aims to comparatively analyze the entropy and environmental impacts of ships operating in the Arctic and international shipping routes. In this study, the entropy productions caused by 11 container ships with different DWTs were calculated and their environmental impacts were examined using two basic indices. According to the results, the Transpolar Sea Route operations without icebreaker escort were forecasted to be all-year-around by 2050 and Northwest Passage Deep Water Route by 2050 routes, produce entropy at approximately 52% higher than the Suez Canal route operations, and their environmental impact was 40.51% higher than the Suez Canal route. Moreover, according to the predicted environmental impact indices for current routes, the Suez Canal route had an average of 34.43% higher environmental pollution compared to the other two routes. However, the average improvement potential for reducing fuel-related environmental effects was found to be 56.35% for the Suez Canal route. Finally, recommendations were presented for the energy, economic potential effects, and sustainability of the Transpolar Sea Route and Northwest Passage Route for future shipping operations.

Use of water treatment plant sludge in high-rate activated sludge systems: A techno-economic investigation

Coagulants such as aluminum sulfate (Al2(SO4)3 (alum)) and ferric chloride (FeCl3) used in water treatment plants (WTPs) led to the generation of sludge that is usually disposed to landfills. However, the utilization of WTP sludge is being encouraged by authorities to achieve sustainable development. This study aims to investigate WTP sludge utilization in a pilot-scale high-rate activated sludge (HRAS) system as a substitute for conventional coagulants. Based on jar tests, the iron sludge was selected for pilot-scale testing due to its superior ability to enhance the treatment efficiency of the HRAS process compared to alum sludge. Iron sludge addition (20.1 ± 1.6 mg dry sludge/L wastewater) slightly improved the removal efficiency of particulate chemical oxygen demand (pCOD) from 74 % to 81 % (p-value: 0.014). Iron sludge addition had a distinct effect on the sludge characteristics of the HRAS process. The average median particle size (d50) increased from 96 ± 3 to 163 ± 14 μm (p-value<0.00) with the addition of iron sludge, which improved the settleability of the HRAS process sludge. However, the biochemical methane potential (BMP) of the HRAS process sludge decreased by 8.9 % (p-value<0.00) after iron sludge addition. In a scenario analysis of WTP sludge use in a hypothetical HRAS plant, the effluent quality index (EQI), an indicator of environmental impact, was calculated and the cost related to the operation (the transfer and landfill disposal of WTP and HRAS process sludge, energy and chemical consumption of the HRAS plant) was estimated. As a result, using WTP sludge in the HRAS plant did not significantly affect the EQI of the plant but decreased overall cost by 11 %. The results showed that the use of WTP sludge as a coagulant in wastewater treatment could achieve mutual benefits for WTPs and WWTPs and have the potential to realize the circular economy model.

Integrating Absolute Sustainability and Social Sustainability in the Digital Product Passport to Promote Industry 5.0

The establishment of the digital product passport is regarded to be a prominent tool to promote environmental and social sustainability, thus enabling the transition towards Industry 5.0. In this way, it represents a holistic tool for the decision-making process of several actors of a product’s value chain. However, its development is still ongoing and the absolute perspective of environmental sustainability and the social sustainability have been overlooked. The present work aims to fill these gaps and complement the literature currently available on the digital product passport with a threefold purpose. Firstly, by referring to social life cycle assessment methodologies, useful social indicators to include in the digital product passport are discussed and proposed. Secondly, the need for an absolute perspective of environmental sustainability that respects the natural limits of our planet is presented; based on the LCA methodology and the Planetary Boundaries framework, environmental attributes and environmental impact indicators with the corresponding threshold are proposed to be included in the passport and enable the so-called absolute environmental sustainability assessment of products. Finally, a framework based on a cyber-physical system for filling in the digital product passport throughout a product lifecycle is conceived. This work represents an example of how the hallmark technologies of Industry 4.0 can be used towards Industry 5.0.

Synergetic benefits of pollution and carbon reduction from fly ash resource utilization—Based on the life cycle perspective

Synergetic reduction of pollution and carbon is a key strategy for the fundamental improvement of ecological and environmental quality and carbon neutrality. Solid waste resource utilization can reduce the secondary pollution caused by conventional solid waste disposal and presents evident environmental potential. Based on the comparable system boundaries, this study adopts life cycle assessment (LCA) to compare the environmental impact of three fly ash utilization paths. The synergy index is then defined according to six environmental impact indicators to quantitatively evaluate the synergetic effects of carbon emission and pollutant reduction. The results confirm the possibility of fly ash resource utilization for synergetic pollution and carbon reduction and demonstrate the synergetic emission reduction potential of the solid waste resource utilization supply chain. This study is both an application of the life cycle assessment model in the solid waste utilization and disposal field and provides insight into the pathway of pollution and carbon reduction in China.

Environmental impact of organic and conventional wine grape production, a case study from Wuwei wine region, Gansu Province, China

The City of Wuwei was the first place in Gansu province to cultivate grapes for wine production and is representative of wine grape growing in arid areas across China. In the interest of advancing green agricultural development and in order to cope with a changing climate, viticulture in China is experiencing a shift towards greener production methods. In order to do this, a better understanding of the environmental impacts associated with production at the farm level is needed. This study assessed three different wine grape production chains (one organic and two conventional) using life cycle assessment (LCA) in the Wuwei wine region of Gansu Province. Results show that non-renewable energy (NR) consumption is higher at the pre-farm stage compared to on-farm consumption. In addition, nitrogen fertilizer (N) and electricity production, account for 32.5% and 30% respectively in conventional production, whilst in organic farming, electricity generation and pesticide production account for 62% and 22% respectively. Pre-farm activities were found to have a higher impact on global warming potential (GWP) than on-farm operations. The average contribution of N and electricity production was 36% and 32% respectively in conventional production during the pre-farm stage, while in organic farming, the contribution of electricity generation dominated at 68%. Organic fertilizer, N and electricity production are the major contributors to acidification potential (AP) and pesticide production contributes the most to eutrophication potential (EP) in the pre-farm phase·NH3 and NO3--N emissions are dominant contributors to on-farm AP and EP respectively. N2O, NH3, and NO3--N emissions are the top 3 contributors to GWP, AP and EP in the on-farm stage are mainly caused by overuse of N. In general, organic production has a lower environmental impact index than conventional farming. Options for minimizing environmental burdens include: the use of biotic materials in vineyard infrastructure; soil testing-based fertilization; deficit irrigation, policy innovation and strengthening the enabling environment for laws and regulations.

Assessing Geological and Mining Condition Nuisance and its Impact on the Cost of Exploitation in Hard Coal Mines with the Use of a Multi-Criterion Method

This article presents the use of a multi-criterion Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method to assess geological and mining condition nuisance in longwall mining operations in selected coal mines in Poland. For this purpose, a methodology has been developed which was used to calculate the operational nuisance indicator (WUe) in relation to the cost of mining coal in individual longwalls. Components of the aggregate operational nuisance indicator include four sub-indicators: the natural hazards indicator (UZN), an indicator describing the seam parameters (UPZ), an indicator describing the technical parameters (UT) and an environmental impact indicator (UŚ). In total, the impact of 28 different criteria, which formed particular components of the nuisance indicators were analysed. In total 471 longwalls in 11 coal mines were analysed, including 277 longwalls that were mined in the period of 2011 to 2016 and 194 longwalls scheduled for exploitation in the years 2017 to 2021. Correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between nuisance and the operating costs of longwalls. The analysis revealed a strong correlation between the level of nuisance and the operating costs of the longwalls under study. The design of the longwall schedule should therefore also take into account the nuisance arising from the geological and mining conditions of the operations. Selective operations management allows for the optimization of costs for mining in underground mines using the longwall system. This knowledge can also be used to reduce the total operating costs of mines as a result of abandoning the mining operations in entire longwalls or portions of longwalls that may be permanently unprofitable. Currently, underground mines do not employ this optimization method, which even more emphasizes the need for popularizing this approach.

Assessing the environmental impact of diet – Influence of using different databases of foods' environmental footprints

Current food systems compromise many environmental impact boundaries, and a dietary transition towards sustainable dietary patterns is needed. The definition of policies to promote the dietary transition implies accurate knowledge of dietary choices' environmental impact. For its assessment, life cycle assessment (LCA) has been employed, but methodological heterogeneity and limited access to LCA data hinder comprehensive comparisons. Several publicly accessible standardized foods’ environmental impact databases have been developed to address these challenges. However, variations in indicators included and data sources raise questions about their impact on assessing dietary environmental footprints and the correlation amid various indicators within and between databases. This study aims to evaluate the effect of using different public-access food LCA databases on estimating the individual dietary environmental impact in a nationally representative survey through multiple indicators as well as the correlations between them.Food-specific environmental impact indicators data from three databases (Poore&Nemececk, SHARP-ID, SU-EATABLE LIFE) were merged with individual food consumption data from the Portuguese Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey (IAN-AF, 2015–2016) (n = 5811) to estimate the usual environmental impact of diet for each indicator. Food groups' percentual contribution (%) to the environmental footprints and the Pearson correlation between indicators were also estimated.Our results showed that different databases of foods’ environmental impacts led to diverse estimates for common indicators when linked to the same food consumption data (e.g., GHGE – P50(P25–P75) SHARP-ID: 4.42(3.44–5.64)kgCO2eq, Poore&Nemececk: 6.17(4.46–8.41)kgCO2eq, SU-EATABLE LIFE: 5.64(4.26–7.36)kgCO2eq). However, except for water footprints, most indicators from all databases were highly correlated with each other, with meat and other animal-based foods as the top contributors.In conclusion, the absolute differences observed can compromise the validity of the findings and their comparability with other countries' estimates when different LCA data are used. A standardized, consolidated database covering a judicious selection of indicators across Europe along with official guidelines for assessing dietary environmental impacts would facilitate its assessment benefiting the establishment of food sustainability policies and recommendations at national and pan-European levels.

From farm accountancy data to environmental indicators: Assessing the environmental performance of Spanish agriculture at a regional level

Understanding the environmental impacts of current agricultural practices is a starting point for transitioning towards sustainable agriculture, which is a goal to be achieved by the European Union. This study aims to provide a set of environmental impact indicators with which to assess and compare the environmental performance of a broad group of agricultural reference holdings at the Spanish NUTS 2 level. A life cycle assessment approach based on statistical data on farm accountancy is applied. The unit of analysis is a reference holding on which a specific crop is grown in a NUTS 2 and follows a specific management system (open-field irrigated, open-field rainfed, or greenhouse). The system boundaries are set at the farm gate, and the impact results are expressed per 1 € of net value added. For most reference holdings, the EF scores per net value added are similar regardless of their EF scores per kg commodity, suggesting a correspondence between the use of resources and the economic results. The environmental footprint is clustered into four groups. The first one accounts for 78 % of the sample and represents the holdings with the lowest impact (between 9.7·10−5 and 2.88·10−3 EF score·NVAfc−1); the second cluster groups seven reference holdings (3 herbaceous and 4 Mediterranean perennial crops) with an environmental footprint of between 3.04·10−3 and 9.01·10−3 EF score·NVAfc−1; the third group comprises four irrigated herbaceous crops holdings with the highest impact (between 1.37·10−2 and 2.13·10−2 EF score·NVAfc−1); and the last group corresponds to the holdings with economic losses (mostly herbaceous and two Mediterranean perennial crops). This research highlights the challenge of improving the competitiveness and profitability of Spanish farming. In this way, agricultural practices that generate environmental impacts without achieving their economic goals would be avoided.

Environmental performance of constructed wetland planted with monocultures and polycultures for wastewater treatment

The effects of culture systems and seasonality on the environmental impact of constructed wetlands (CWs) remain understudied. This study aims to quantify the environmental impact of common and ornamental plants in a pilot-scale horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) CW planted with monocultures and a polyculture. Eight scenarios were evaluated, differentiated by plant type, culture system, and season (warm season, cold season). Environmental performance was evaluated using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The environmental impact index (ƐP), based on eutrophication reduction (kgP removed), and net environmental benefit (NEB) indicators were also calculated. The results showed that a CW planted with polycultures reduced FE by 5–17% compared to those planted in monocultures. However, the polyculture had the highest environmental impact in the GW category, up to 1.5–9 times higher than that of monocultures. Furthermore, there was better performance in the cold season in all scenarios. Specifically, NEB showed an environmental benefit for freshwater eutrophication and a negative benefit for global warming. The ƐP indicator was inversely proportional to the elimination of phosphorus, with the polyculture CW reaching the highest values of 3399 kgCO2eq/kgP removed in the warm season. The assessment of environmental impact patterns could support the development of strategies for better environmental performance of CWs, with polycultures used as an alternative wastewater treatment.

Ultra-processed foods consumption as a promoting factor of greenhouse gas emissions, water, energy, and land use: A longitudinal assessment

BackgroundDietary patterns can produce an environmental impact. Changes in people's diet, such as the increased consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) can not only influence human health but also environment sustainability. ObjectivesAssessment of the impact of 2-year changes in UPF consumption on greenhouse gas emissions and water, energy and land use. DesignA 2-year longitudinal study after a dietary intervention including 5879 participants from a Southern European population between the ages of 55–75 years with metabolic syndrome. MethodsFood intake was assessed using a validated 143-item food frequency questionnaire, which allowed classifying foods according to the NOVA system. In addition, sociodemographic data, Mediterranean diet adherence, and physical activity were obtained from validated questionnaires. Greenhouse gas emissions, water, energy and land use were calculated by means of the Agribalyse® 3.0.1 database of environmental impact indicators for food items. Changes in UPF consumption during a 2-year period were analyzed. Statistical analyses were conducted using computed General Linear Models. ResultsParticipants with major reductions in their UPF consumption reduced their impact by −0.6 kg of CO2eq and −5.3 MJ of energy. Water use was the only factor that increased as the percentage of UPF was reduced. ConclusionsLow consumption of ultra-processed foods may contribute to environmental sustainability. The processing level of the consumed food should be considered not only for nutritional advice on health but also for environmental protection. Trial registrationISRCTN, ISRCTN89898870. Registered 05 September 2013, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN89898870.

Sustainability Assessment of Cementitious Ceramic Tile Adhesives

This article presents the results of analyzing environmental impact indicators of thirteen ceramic tile adhesives (CTAs). The analyzed data came from ten third-party-verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) created in 2016–2022. The paper examines seven environmental impact indicators for modules A1–A3 (cradle-to-gate). Significant differences were observed between the values of environmental indicators, which, in the case of Global Warming Potential (GWP), differed by almost 270% in the most extreme case. For the depletion of abiotic resources (elements) (ADPe), the values of products differed by nearly fourteen thousand times. Results are discussed from the perspective of the CTAs’ manufacturer assessing the product. The analysis focused on issues such as the historical dimension of data, which is the basis for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the need for their constant updating, and the subject of uncertainty—usually wholly omitted in the considerations on the environmental impact of construction products. The results of the analysis were also evaluated in terms of the planned introduction of the new 3+ assessment system in connection with the future amendment of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). The results of the CTAs’ analysis of environmental indicators showed that, despite the EPDs functioning for a decade, the obligatory assessment of construction products in terms of sustainability using the 3+ system did not create the conditions for its proper occurrence. This analysis showed that, without obtaining reliable data on the environmental impact of CTAs, correct AVCP is not possible, and the consumer is not able to make proper choices.

Different Levels of Ultraprocessed Food and Beverage Consumption and Associations with Environmental Sustainability and All-cause Mortality in EPIC-NL

BackgroundThe adverse health effects of high ultraprocessed food and drink (UPFD) consumption are well documented. However, the environmental impact remains unclear, and the separate effects of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) and drinks (UPDs) on all-cause mortality have not been studied previously. ObjectivesTo assess the association between levels of UPFD, UPF, and UPD consumption and diet-related environmental impacts and all-cause mortality in Dutch adults. MethodsHabitual diets were assessed by a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) from 1993–1997 in 38,261 participants of the Dutch European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. The mean follow-up time was 18.2 y (SD = 4.1); 4,697 deaths occurred. FFQ items were categorized according to the NOVA classification. Associations between quartiles of UPFD, UPF, and UPD consumption and environmental impact indicators were analyzed using general linear models and all-cause mortality by Cox proportional hazard models. The lowest UPFD, UPF, and UPD consumption quartiles were used as comparator. ResultsThe average UPFD consumption was 181 (SD = 88) g/1000 kcal. High UPF consumption was statistically significantly inversely associated with all environmental impact indicators (Q4vsQ1: −13.6% to −3.0%), whereas high UPD consumption was, except for land use, statistically significant positively associated with all environmental impact indicators (Q4vsQ1: 1.2% to 5.9%). High UPFD consumption was heterogeneously associated with environmental impacts (Q4vsQ1: −4.0% to 2.6%). After multivariable adjustment, the highest quartiles of UPFD and UPD consumption were significantly associated with all-cause mortality (HRQ4vsQ1: 1.17, 95%CI: 1.08, 1.28 and HRQ4vsQ1: 1.16, 95%CI: 1.07, 1.26, respectively). UPF consumption of Q2 and Q3 were associated with a borderline significant lower risk of all-cause mortality (HRQ2vsQ1: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.85, 1.00; HRQ3vsQ1: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84, 0.99) whereas Q4 was not statistically significant (HRQ4vsQ1: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.15). ConclusionsReducing UPD consumption may lower environmental impact and all-cause mortality risk; however, this is not shown for UPFs. When categorizing food consumption by their degree of processing, trade-offs are observed for human and planetary health aspects.

Environmental impact scenarios of organic fraction municipal solid waste treatment with Black Soldier Fly larvae based on a life cycle assessment

Biowaste treatment with Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae is an alternative option for organic waste valorization. Its environmental impacts should be assessed and compared with conventional treatment options. The research aims to evaluate the treatment of organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) with BSF larvae through a life cycle assessment (LCA). This study employed data inventories from literature and aimed to provide a wide range of production parameter values to identify the potentialities of BSF treatment in the best-case and worst-case scenarios. The SimaPro9, the database Ecoinvent3.5, and the impact assessment method IMPACT 2002+ have been employed for the analysis. A sensitivity analysis of relevant parameters was conducted, considering the avoided impacts that can be obtained thanks to the exploitation of larvae proteins for bioplastics or fishmeal production. Research findings highlight six main environmental impact indicators: respiratory inorganics (kg PM2.5-eq), ozone layer depletion (kg CFC-11-eq), terrestrial ecotoxicity (kg TEG soil), land occupation (m2 organic arable), global warming (kg CO2-eq), and non-renewable energy (MJ primary). The most relevant process generating impacts is BSF breeding, followed by boiling, storage, and OFMSW treatment. The environmental performance is better when the conventional fishmeal substituted, thanks to BSF larvae production, is made from areas 10,000 km far, implementing a 100% renewable energy scenario, reducing the energy consumption by 50%, increasing the lifespan of the equipment to 15 years, and products are employed locally. The current study represents the first attempt to evaluate the global higher or lower environmental impact scenario related to OFMSW treatment through BSF larvae.Graphical

Sustainability at first sight: How adding an environmental impact index to a fresh and packed fish food label impacts visual behaviour of consumers

Sustainability at first sight: How adding an environmental impact index to a fresh and packed fish food label impacts visual behaviour of consumers

A new approach for environmental analysis of vapor compression refrigeration systems: Environmental impact index

Vapor-compression refrigeration (VCR) cycles are used to transfer heat from a low-temperature environment to a high-temperature environment. To reduce harmful emissions, environmentally friendly refrigerants should be selected. Metrics like global warming potential and life cycle climate performance are used for environmentally friendly refrigerants. These metrics are independent of each other and are analyzed and evaluated separately. In this study, a new metric was proposed for the environmental analysis of VCR systems and named as environmental impact index (EII). EII defined for the first time in this research, includes the use of both energy, exergy, and low-emission renewable energy at the same time. Also, EII analysis of a cooling system using various refrigerants was performed for all cities of Türkiye. In the case of using R134a, R1234yf, and R1234ze refrigerants in the cooling system the cities with the highest and lowest EII values of the cooling system are Ardahan and Şanlıurfa, respectively. The EII of R134a, R1234yf, and R1234ze (E) for Şanlıurfa are 49.79, 51.81, and 49.75, respectively. The EII of R134a, R1234yf, and R1234ze (E) for Ardahan are 73.75, 75.13, and 73.13, respectively. It was concluded that when choosing refrigerants for VCR systems, attention should be paid not only to the GWP ratios of refrigerants, but also to energy and exergy performance, and energy options with lower emissions.