Sustainability: Projects
Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA): Methodology Evaluation and Tool Development
Client
US EPA Office of Research and Development
Description
We assisted EPA in the analysis of LCA products, processes, and activities and in cutting-edge LCA research. For example, using LCA concepts, we developed a database and computer-based decision support tool (DST) to help solid waste planners analyze integrated municipal solid waste (MSW) management system designs. The DST enables users to simulate existing MSW management strategies and conduct scenario analyses of new strategies based on cost and environmental objectives. The DST can model multiple design options for waste collection, transfer stations, materials recovery facilities, mixed MSW and yard waste composting, combustion, refuse-derived fuel combustion, and disposal. The DST can also identify low-cost ways to meet recycling and waste diversion goals, to quantify potential environmental benefits associated with recycling, to identify strategies for optimizing energy recovery from MSW, and to evaluate options for reducing greenhouse gases, criteria pollutants, and environmental releases into waterbodies or ecosystems.
We also led the evaluation of streamlined approaches for assessments using more than 30 demonstration case-study products, including shop towels, news print, and coating systems. In addition, we prepared a resource guide on life-cycle costing considerations, as well as commercially available tools and software. Finally, we prepared a guidelines document to support life-cycle data quality and impact assessment.
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