Life Cycle Impact Assessment Research Articles

Comprehensive life cycle assessment of garden organic waste valorisation: A case study in regional Australia

This study evaluates the environmental impacts associated with the conversion of garden organic waste into value-added products, namely compost or biochar, employing various processes. Three distinct scenarios are considered: composting garden organic waste followed by screening of oversized materials (CBP), pyrolysis of oversized screenings of compost into biochar AP(I), and in-situ conversion of garden organics into biochar AP(II). A comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted using OpenLCA software and life cycle impact assessment was conducted using Recipe 2016 midpoint methodology. The environmental ramifications of each scenario were assessed, optimising transport distances in AP(II) to achieve a functional unit of one tonne of biochar produced within a cradle-to-gate system boundary. For the first time, this study offers a holistic exploration of the benefits of soil biochar application, extending its scope to climate change mitigation, incorporating the optimisation of transport distance and its influence when scaling up the technology. The results revealed that global warming was increased from 125 kgCO2 eq during composting of garden waste to 232 kgCO2 eq where oversized screenings of compost is converted to biochar at an off-site facility. However, direct conversion of the oversized organic waste to biochar, without composting, showed reduced global warming impact of 56 kgCO2 eq, and is thus the most favourable scenario to limit climate impacts of this fraction of organic garden waste. However, among 18 environmental impact indicators studied, eight indicators were either not influenced or did not significantly increase by transport distance to an off-site pyrolysis facility, while the magnitude of 10 impact indicators increased with transport distance. The insights and methodologies presented in this study hold global relevance, based on an actual case study in regional Australia, offering valuable recommendations for sustainable waste management practices and establishing biochar as a carbon-neutral or carbon-negative solution. The findings contribute to existing waste management knowledge and provide guidance for accessible carbon dioxide removal and soil carbon sequestration technologies.

Life cycle assessment of power-to-methane and renewable methane production technologies

The role of renewable energy, such as biogas or renewable methane is important for decarbonisation of the energy sector. This study analyses environmental impacts of renewable methane production from seven different technologies including wind- and solar-powered electrolysis and methanation with direct air-captured CO2, anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge, pig and dairy manure, and food waste, as well as landfill gas upgrade. Life cycle impact assessment using ReCiPe 2016 method found that sewage sludge system exhibited the highest global warming impact due to electricity consumption during digestate dewatering by centrifuge, whereas anaerobic digestion of pig manure in a covered lagoon with digestate dewatering in Geotube® demonstrated the lowest impact. When centrifuge and Geotube® were compared for the same production system, Geotube® had 78 % lower global warming impact than dewatering with centrifuge. Overall, less energy and resource requirements, and environmental credits assigned to avoided products, such as mineral fertiliser and air-captured CO2 led to lower impacts, where seven out of 11 production systems presented lower global warming impacts than natural gas, indicating potential reduction of emissions by substituting natural gas with renewable methane. Increasing efficiency of wind and solar electricity appeared to be more sensitive than increasing efficiency of electrolyser, while transport distance of the landfill gas had significant effect on the global warming impacts. Production of renewable methane from waste can be promoted by various supports, such as carbon credits, amendment of national gas standard, and waste management policies for energy recovery.

Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of Hydrogen: A Systematic Review of Methodological Choices

This systematic review examines methodological choices in assessing hydrogen production and utilisation technologies using prospective life cycle assessments (LCA) between 2010 and 2022, following PRISMA guidelines. The review analysed 32 peer-reviewed articles identified through Scopus, Web of Science, and BASE. The study reveals a significant gap in the consistent application of prospective LCA methodologies for emerging hydrogen technologies. Most studies employed attributional approaches, often lacking prospective elements in life cycle inventory (LCI) modelling. Although some initiatives to integrate forward-looking components were noted, there was often lack of clarity in defining LCA objectives, technology readiness level (TRL), and upscaling methods. Of the 22 studies that focused on emerging hydrogen technologies, few detailed upscaling methods. Additionally, the review identified common issues, such as the limited use of prospective life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) methods, inadequate data quality evaluation, and insufficient sensitivity and uncertainty analysis. These findings highlight the substantial gaps in modelling low-TRL hydrogen technologies and the need for more robust, comprehensive approaches to assess uncertainties. The review also identified common practices and areas for improvement to enhance the reliability and relevance of hydrogen technology environmental assessments.

Kinetic insights and environmental assessment for a sustainable seedless grape drying in China

Seedless grape drying is an energy-intensive postharvest process that significantly impacts the environmental sustainability of China’s grape industry. This study evaluated seedless grape drying kinetics, energy consumption, and life cycle assessment (LCA) at 40, 50, 60 and 70 °C air temperatures as variable heating conditions. Computational modelling validated against experiments revealed a strong temperature dependence in drying kinetics. Higher temperatures (70 °C) resulted in significantly faster drying times (around 630 min) compared to lower temperatures (40 °C, around 1380 min). However, this came at the cost of high energy consumption values. Interestingly, energy reductions were noticeable above 60 °C due to significantly shortened drying times. The minimum energy required at given temperatures, with an air velocity of 2.5 m·s−1 and a relative humidity of 30 %, was 138.3 MJ at 40 °C, while the maximum was 198.1 MJ at 60 °C. Similar trends were observed in the overall LCA impact values, where convective drying contributed over 90 % of the global warming potential (GWP) across all scenarios. Energy consumption emerged as the primary impact driver, followed by slighter transport and agricultural production contributions. A multi-criteria analysis using the weighted sum method identified the 70 °C scenario as most favourable in balancing short-time drying, moderate energy use and low GWP impacts. This integrated approach demonstrates the potential for optimising the trade-off between drying performance and environmental impacts, which could advance low-carbon drying technologies and develop more sustainable food production systems.

Enhancing life cycle assessment for reversible ground-coupled heat pump systems through dynamic analysis

Ground-coupled heat pump (GCHP) systems can provide comfortable indoor environments, but also inevitably contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and other impacts on human health, ecosystems, and resources. Life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology has been widely adopted to estimate the environmental impacts associated with GCHP systems, with operational electricity consumption being the largest contributor among most categories. Given the data-intensive nature of LCA, operational electricity consumption should be prioritised to refine the accuracy of LCA results. Previous studies, however, have relied on static COP (Coefficient of Performance) and annual average data to obtain the environmental impacts and have disregarded the effect of long-term performance degradation caused by building thermal load imbalances. In this paper, to bridge this research gap, a dynamic operational environmental impact assessment (DOEIA) method was proposed to improve the precision of LCA results by incorporating higher temporal resolution data of electricity mix and real-time performance modelling of the reversible GCHP system. Impacts of different temporal resolutions (i.e. monthly, trimestral, and annual) on the accuracy of LCA results was examined and the operational performance degradation resulting from imbalanced building heating and cooling loads was considered. Results demonstrate that while performance degradation effects are evenly distributed across impact categories, gaps due to temporal resolutions vary significantly between different categories. Subsequent analysis of spatial variations in the latter further emphasises the importance of accounting for higher temporal resolutions. Finally, life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) results for reversible GCHP systems in different locations were obtained with the support of DOEIA method and the results underscore the necessity of a cleaner energy mix. The proposed DOEIA method can be applied to other energy systems for comparative analyses. It is replicable in other countries and regions and therefore is expected to provide methodological guidance for future decision-makers.

Weighting factors for LCA—a new set from a global survey

Abstract Purpose This paper provides global weights (weighting factors) for the three endpoint impact categories (areas of protection (AoPs)) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Life Cycle Initiative’s “Global Guidance for Life Cycle Impact Assessment Indicators and Methods” (GLAM) project, namely human health, ecosystem quality, and natural resources and ecosystem services. Methods A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted to elicit the preferences of respondents on the GLAM AoPs, and they were then used to calculate the respective weights. Responses were obtained from a subset of countries pertaining to each income level defined by the World Bank (i.e. low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high). The adimensional (between 0 and 1) weights were derived using two different approaches: econometric and multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA). The econometric approach obtained weights by transforming the estimated preference parameters from a multinomial logit model. The MCDA approach obtained weights representing the vectors that best reconstitute the choices of each individual, using linear programming to fit an additive value function. Results When considering responses from all income groups, the weights from the econometric approach are 0.42, 0.31, and 0.26 for human health, ecosystem quality, and natural resources and ecosystem services, respectively. Following the same order for the AoPs, the weights from the MCDA approach are 0.41, 0.32, and 0.27. For high-income countries, ecosystem quality has the highest weight; for upper-middle-income countries, ecosystem quality and human health have the same weights using the econometric approach, while in the MCDA approach, human health is weighted higher than ecosystem quality. For the two lower income country groups, the priority is given to human health with both approaches. Recommendations for the use of these weights are also provided, as well as a comparison with other existing weights. Conclusion The two methods obtained similar weights overall, although with some differences when disaggregated by income groups. The weights proposed in this paper are suitable for decision-makers or users who want to use survey-derived weights for endpoint-based LCA when using the AoPs of GLAM. These weights can be used in projects where the decision-makers do not want to or have no resources to identify a set of weights themselves, or when decision-makers are not involved.

Environmental impacts and mitigation potentials of CO2-based biodegradable plastic based on life cycle assessment – A case study of poly(propylene carbonate)

CO2-based biodegradable plastics are potential solutions for reducing fossil-fuel consumption, mitigating climate change, and addressing plastic pollution by reducing plastic waste accumulation. Poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) is a commercial CO2-based biodegradable plastic derived from CO2 and propylene oxide (PO), and it has been used in flexible packaging and mulching film applications. However, the environmental performance of PPC is still unknown. Since China has become the largest producer of PPC in the world, this study takes the industrial production technologies of PPC and its feedstocks in China as an example. The cradle-to-gate life-cycle inventory of PPC resin was compiled, and life-cycle impact assessment was performed to assess the environmental impacts of PPC and mitigation potentials based on the ReCiPe 2016 method. Results indicated that PPC synthesis has the greatest impact on the environment (contributions of 38–95% of 16 environmental impact categories), followed by PO production. Technological innovation and renewable energy substitution scenarios were developed to explore the mitigation potential of PPC. We found that supercritical polymerization technology has greater mitigation potential than photovoltaic power substitution, which could reduce 17 impact categories of PPC by 17–96% by reducing energy and dichloromethane consumption during PPC synthesis. Photovoltaic power substitution reduced 2–22% of 11 impact categories of PPC. Compared with conventional plastics, PPC had advantages over conventional plastics in terms of 17 impact categories. The environmental impacts of PPC were 2–98% lower than those of conventional plastics. This study emphasizes the importance of technological innovation in reducing the lifecycle environmental impacts of PPC and provides a basis for environmental performance of CO2-based biodegradable plastics and the potential to replace conventional plastics. Policy implications for innovations in synthesis technology, sustainable feedstocks and environmental impact assessment were proposed, which could provide valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers in enhancing the sustainability of the plastics industry through biodegradable plastic alternatives.

Ameliorating the detrimental effects of chromium in wheat by silicon nanoparticles and its enriched biochar

Increased anthropogenic activities over the last decades have led to a gradual increase in chromium (Cr) content in the soil, which, due to its high mobility in soil, makes Cr accumulation in plants a serious threat to the health of animals and humans. The present study investigated the ameliorative effect of foliar-applied Si nanoparticles (SiF) and soil-applied SiNPs enriched biochar (SiBc) on the growth of wheat in Cr-polluted soil (CPS). Two levels of CPS were prepared, including 12.5 % and 25 % by adding Cr-polluted wastewater in the soil as soil 1 (S1) and soil 2 (S2), respectively for the pot experiment with a duration of 40 days. Cr stress significantly reduced wheat growth, however, combined application of SiF and SiBc improved root and shoot biomass production under Cr stress by (i) reducing Cr accumulation, (ii) increasing activities of antioxidant enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase and catalase), and (iii) increasing protein and total phenolic contents in both root and shoot respectively. Nonetheless, separate applications of SiF and SiBc effectively reduced Cr toxicity in shoot and root respectively, indicating a tissue-specific regulation of wheat growth under Cr. Later, the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm analysis showed a maximum soil Cr adsorption capacity ∼ Q(max) of 40.6 mg g−1 and 59 mg g−1 at S1 and S2 respectively, while the life cycle impact assessment showed scores of −1 mg kg−1 and -211 mg kg−1 for Cr in agricultural soil and − 0.184 and − 38.7 for human health at S1 and S2 respectively in response to combined SiF + SiBC application, thus indicating the environment implication of Si nanoparticles and its biochar in ameliorating Cr toxicity in different environmental perspectives.

Potential Use of Irradiation Techniques in Life Cycle Assessment of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Plastic Waste

Plastic waste generation makes the second largest contribution of 18.6% to the total generation of municipal solid waste. Plastic waste often becomes a problem in the environment because it does not decompose easily. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one type of plastic waste. This paper aims to provide a general review of the potential for using nuclear energy in the form of irradiation techniques in assessing the life cycle of PET plastic waste. The research method used is a literature study based on several related studies. The life cycle assessment method can be used to analyze potential uses and their impacts. Life cycle assessment consists of the stages of determining objectives and scope, life cycle inventory analysis, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. A SWOT analysis of the PET sorting program from generation sources is needed as a complement to the life cycle assessment analysis. The potential for PET irradiation techniques is in two ways, namely direct and indirect. The first way, is PET plastic waste is exposed to a certain dose of radiation directly to degrade the material properties of PET plastic waste. The second way, PET plastic waste is substituted into other products, and then a certain dose of radiation is given. At the stage of determining life cycle goals, for example, measuring the impact of irradiation techniques on the reuse or recycling of PET plastic waste. The scope is limited to “gate to gate”, from receiving PET plastic to PET irradiation. The functional unit as a basic unit can be used based on 1 kg of PET plastic. The use of nuclear power through irradiation techniques has the potential to be used in processing PET plastic. Keywords: irradiation, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), life cycle assessment

Opportunities to integrate Ecosystem Services into Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): a case study of milk production in Brazil

World dairy production is growing rapidly having increased by 339 million tons over the last twenty years. However, it remains unclear how anthropic activities in the milk sector can impact the Ecosystem Services (ES) supply to society. The aim of this study was to propose and determine the Net Environmental Performance (NEP) of different milk production systems. For this purpose, a case study on a confined compost barn farm, located in southeastern Brazil was selected as reference scenario and compared with three other systems. The mapping of ES benefits was carried out using the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services, while environmental impacts were calculated using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The LCA results and ecosystem benefits were combined and converted into monetary units to calculate the NEP per 1 kg of milk. The results indicated that semi-confined systems had the worst environmental performance (90 % more impacts) compared to the compost barn milk system. On the other hand, confined systems generate few ES benefits, but their environmental impacts were lower for most LCA impact categories (up to 87 % minimized impacts) compared to semi-confined systems. Finally, we concluded the confined systems in SP and PR showed the best NEP (1.07 and 1.48) aiming for both environmental impacts and ES benefits to fit the win–win situation.

GeoGOBLIN: A catchment-scale land balance model for assessment of climate mitigation pathways considering environmental trade-offs for multiple impact categories

GeoGOBLIN, a novel environmental impact and land balance assessment tool, builds upon the GOBLIN biophysical land use emissions model for Ireland, offering enhanced resolution and system-level detail. It combines remotely sensed data and national agricultural census data to model climate change, air quality, and eutrophication emissions at the catchment level. Integration of the CBM-CFS3 forest carbon modelling framework (utilised in Ireland's National Inventory Report) increases alignment with national emissions reporting. GeoGOBLIN disaggregates emissions by life cycle assessment impact categories, making it a valuable tool for policymakers and researchers evaluating environmental and economic trade-offs associated with land-use scenarios. Illustrative scenarios demonstrate GeoGOBLIN's ability to assess the multifaceted impacts of alternative land uses, supporting informed decision-making for sustainable land use, food production, and a circular bioeconomy.

A Review of Life Cycle Assessment of Nanomaterials-Based Adsorbent for Environmental Remediation

<p>Nanomaterials, known for their exceptional physicochemical properties, are used in electronics, skincare, catalysts, agriculture, and water treatment. Their small size and large surface area enable high adsorption capacities and rapid adsorption rates, effectively removing organic and inorganic pollutants from water. Designed as composites, nanomaterials enhance adsorption capacity, improve mechanical strength, and provide support matrices for retaining nanoparticles. Nanoadsorbents are particularly effective in removing toxic metals from wastewater and drinking water, targeting low concentrations of metals like arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, crucial given stringent discharge regulations. However, the widespread use of nanomaterials poses potential health and environmental risks, as their production involves significant energy and material inputs, generating pollutants. Most research focuses on functionalities without considering life cycle environmental impacts. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a comprehensive tool for evaluating these impacts, assessing products from cradle to grave, including raw material extraction, processing, manufacturing, distribution, use, maintenance, and disposal or recycling. LCA, based on the ISO 14040 series, includes four phases: goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and life cycle interpretation. This study categorizes existing research based on the four LCA phases, aiming to highlight current practices, challenges, and progress. The findings provide insights and recommendations for future research to ensure the sustainable development of nanomaterials.</p>

Biodiversity on the line: life cycle impact assessment of power lines on birds and mammals in Norway

The global shift towards renewable energy plays an important role in fighting climate change. To facilitate the global growth of renewable energy production, the expansion of the electric grid becomes inevitable. Yet further construction of power lines poses a risk to biodiversity. Power lines traverse natural habitats and can lead to habitat conversion, fragmentation, and loss. Moreover, due to collisions and electrocutions, power lines kill hundreds of millions of birds each year. These impacts, however, have so far not been incorporated into decision-making. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a widely used framework to compare environmental impacts and support decision-makers in planning and promoting sustainable strategies. We adapted existing life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) models to quantify the three main impacts of power lines on biodiversity: collision, electrocution, and habitat conversion and fragmentation. Our models incorporated species-area and species-habitat relationships to assess the effects of power lines on the diversity of birds and non-flying mammals in Norway, as the country is currently committed to reducing its emissions by expanding its renewable energy capacity. Overall, habitat conversion and fragmentation had the highest impact across the three impact categories, particularly affecting mammal richness. Furthermore, distribution lines often affected species richness more than transmission lines. The effect of the three impact pathways varied among different species groups, highlighting the vulnerability of certain species to habitat change, collision, and electrocution. Integrating LCIA models that quantify the impacts of power lines on biodiversity into LCA can support decision-makers with tools to promote the development of the electric grid without overlooking its effect on species richness. In addition, our models set the stage for a comprehensive assessment of the effects of electricity generation and transmission on biodiversity.

An integrated approach through controlled experiment and LCIA to evaluate water quality and ecological impacts of irrigated paddy rice.

This study used an integrated approach to mainly assess the water quality of paddy field during cultivation and quantify its equivalent ecological damages. Accordingly, an isolated pilot area with 0.6 ha and subsurface drainage pipes was prepared for flow measurement and multiple pollutant examination (DO, EC, pH, COD, TKN, TN, TP, NO3, butachlor) under controlled condition during 94 days of rice cultivation. Based on life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) database, the indices of ReCiPe (2016) were used to convert the examined nutrient and herbicide pollution. Results showed that TKN and TP were significant pollutants and reached the maximum concentrations of 7.2 and 4.9 mg/L in pilot outflow, respectively. Here, their average discharged loads were 56.2 gN/day and 45.3 gP/day. These loads equal leaching 8.5% and 9.4% of applied urea and phosphate fertilizers, respectively. The nutrient export coefficients were 8.4 kgN/ha and 6.8 kgP/ha. Nevertheless, the majority of this pollution was transferred by inflow. The net export coefficients were 0.3 kgN/ha and 2.6 kgP/ha while net leaching rates were 0.3%TN and 3.3%TP. The trend of combined ecological damages also showed that the 11-17th day of cultivation imposed the highest ecological risks. The state-of-the-art index of ecological footprint per food production estimates the equivalent ratio of lost lives by impaired ecosystem against lives saved from starvation. This index showed that 7% of the potential of produced paddy rice in this area for saving lives would be spoiled by releasing pollution to the terrestrial ecosystem in the long term. Yet, it can be enhanced as a matter of direct discharge to the freshwater. Therefore, using suitable agricultural operations or improving farm management practices for pollution abatement or assimilation potential is highly recommended.

Life Cycle Assessment of Green Space Irrigation Using Treated Wastewater: A Case Study

Water scarcity is a pressing issue that makes it essential to manage this resource efficiently and sustainably. One solution to combat this issue is the use of treated wastewater (TWW) to irrigate green spaces in cities. However, it is crucial to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with this practice. To this end, life cycle assessment (LCA) is the most advanced tool available. The objective of this study was to assess the environmental implications of using TWW for lawn irrigation in the city of Viseu. The ReCiPe 2016 method, supported by SimaPro software, was employed for life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). An attributional approach was used, and the system boundaries were expanded to include the non-discharge of TWW into the receiving environment, the avoided consumption of domestic water, and the avoided consumption of chemical fertilizers. The results revealed that using TWW for lawn irrigation is preferable in terms of human health and ecosystem damage but unfavorable in terms of resource damage. When considering the impact of water consumption on human health and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, it is recommended to use treated wastewater for lawn irrigation.

Systematising the LCA approaches’ soup: a framework based on text mining

PurposeIt is challenging for practitioners to navigate through the multitude of life cycle assessment (LCA) approaches due to the rich literature and a lack of systematisation. The LCA flexibility allowed by standards results in a multitude of applications and, as referred to in previous works, as an “alphabet soup”. This paper proposes a scheme for a clearer classification of currently used LCA approaches, with consideration of the 4-stage framework coming from standards.MethodsThis systematisation was first established through literature research serving as a preliminary tentative framework. A text mining task was carried out in a second stage, involving 2044 published articles among 7558 of the last 10 years. For text mining, a dictionary collected keywords and synonyms of the LCA approaches. Such keywords were then extracted from the text together with their context (multiword). The final multiword analysis allowed the association of each keyword (i.e. each LCA approach) with a specific LCA stage (Goal and Scope, Life Cycle Inventory, Life Cycle Impact Assessment, Interpretation). The preliminary framework was adapted, further enriched and validated based on the text mining results.ResultsAs a result of the text mining activities, the preliminary tentative framework was partially confirmed and enriched with new insights, especially in the field of “explorative” LCA approaches, which also include “prospective” and “scenario-based” LCA. For most of the currently used LCA approaches, a link to a unique LCA stage was not recorded. However, clear trends were detected. The text mining task also highlighted a high number of works in which different approaches are compared or counterposed, especially in the field of attributional and consequential LCA. Some issues were found with the connotations of “traditional” approaches, which could be defined more specifically as “non-explorative”.ConclusionsUnlike other works focused on notions from selected literature, text mining activities can provide bottom-up feedback on a larger scale more automatically. In addition, this work brought out novel LCA approaches, for which future developments will confirm a final definition and systematisation. As an additional advantage, the presented methodology is easily replicable. Hence, the presented framework can be updated along with developments in LCA approaches.

Advancing biorefinery technologies through transesterification and hydrothermal liquefaction for biodiesel and bioproducts production

BackgroundThe multicriteria assessment of advancing biorefinery to produce biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester), glycerol, and torrefied pellets is a strategic approach towards sustainable development. MethodsA successive transesterification process was applied to separate lipids with alcohol, with a 1:7 mass-to-mass ratio in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst of chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol-sodium hydroxide (CS/PVA-NaOH), to produce biodiesel and glycerol. Moreover, the remaining biomass is extracted to produce torrefied pellets by applying torrefaction through hydrothermal liquefication at 200–300 ℃ temperature. The biorefinery system using 613 kg organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) produced 127.3 L of biodiesel, 14.5 kg of glycerol, and 387.5 kg of torrefied pellets. The whole systematic approach revealed two distinct areas with required characterized equipment such as dryer (A = 721.28m2), suspended in tank (V = 751.56m3), reactor (V = 721.56m3), cyclone (A = 743.48 m2), grinder (Q = 1352.31 m3/h), compactor (Q = 1367.31 m3/h), correspondingly. A gate-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed for life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) through GaBi by using the ReCiPe 2016 Mid-point (H) and Endpoint (H) approach with a functional unit of 1000 kg municipal solid waste (MSW). Significant findingsThe economic assessment reveals the economic feasibility of the biorefinery project. The annual revenue determined the profitability index, which is $ 1.59 million annually, with a payback period of 1.8 years. The environmental analysis determined an eco-friendly production unit which can save 13.6% of carbon emissions by alternate use of photovoltaic energy. Conclusively, the calculated values and findings prove that biorefinery development using OFMSW is scientifically a win-win situation and notably assists in achieving circular bioeconomy and sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Predicting the Global Extinction Risk for 6569 Species by Applying the Life Cycle Impact Assessment Method to the Impact of Future Land Use Changes

Land use change is considered to be one of the key direct drivers of ecosystem erosion and biodiversity loss. The Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) serves as a robust tool for environmental impact assessment, featuring an advanced framework and indicators for assessing global biodiversity loss. In this research, we utilized the Species Distribution Model (SDM) to evaluate 6569 species across five taxonomic groups. We simulated habitat change and losses induced by land use changes under sustainable future scenarios from the present to 2100. This enables us to assess spatial extinction risks based on shifts in the global distribution of species. Our findings reveal a global biodiversity extinction risk of approximately 4.9 species/year, equivalent to an extinction rate of 745.9 E/MSY. Notably, higher-risk hotspots have been identified in regions such as South America, South Australia, and New Zealand. Although future sustainable scenarios involving land intensification may mitigate the biodiversity extinction rate, the objective of reaching 10 E/MSY by the end of this century remains a distant goal. By providing a more rational basis for biodiversity loss, the indicators of spatial extinction risk demonstrate the advantage of effectively reflecting regional characteristics.

Microplastic aquatic impacts included in Life Cycle Assessment

Although Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) methods assess a wide range of environmental impacts, ecological impacts of plastic pollution are not commonly included. Here, characterization factors of Polypropylene (PP), Low density polyethylene (LDPE) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) microplastics were assessed. Fate was assessed through the multimedia fate model Simplebox4Plastics. Ecological effects were based on species sensitivity distributions. Macroplastic impacts were included though a conversion fraction. The characterization factors were included in ReCipe2016 method and applied to two consumer packaging films to show the relevance of including plastic pollution in LCAs. Plastic losses were assessed using material flow analysis. The freshwater and marine ecotoxicity midpoint indicators were dominated by plastic pollution impacts, whilst these impacts were limited on ecosystem quality as endpoint. Extending this methodology to additional polymers and additional methodological developments will help to obtain a more complete picture of plastic pollution in LCA and to identify effective mitigation options.

Towards Sustainable Shrimp Farming: Life Cycle Assessment of Farming Practices at the Less Favorable Areas of Yogyakarta's Southern Coast

The objectives of this study were to assess the potential environmental impacts that could be utilized to describe the current state of shrimp farming and propose alternative strategies for its management. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was held based on stages goal and scope, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation by using SimaPro v.9.3.0.3 software and CML IA baseline V3.07 impact assessment method. The findings of this study demonstrated that super intensive shrimp farming had a lower potential environmental impact than intensive farming. The study indicated that super intensive shrimp farming produces a lower abiotic depletion potential (ADP), global warming potential (GWP), marine aquatic ecotoxicity potential (MTP), acidification potential (AP), and eutrophication potential (EP) than intensive farming. Potential environmental impact can be minimized by choosing a more environmentally friendly source of electrical energy and pond lining material and increasing the efficiency of the use of electricity and feed.