Comparison of solid waste management scenarios based on life cycle analysis and multi-criteria decision making (Case study: Isfahan city)

Abstract

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is one of the decision support systems which can be considered for assessing the different approaches of Waste Management. However, it only considers environmental effects and ignores other decision making options such as economic and social effects of solid waste management. In this research, we consider a combination of three decision making options including environmental, economic and social effects to compare current waste management system to six alternative scenarios for selecting the best scenario of solid waste management for Isfahan city where a total of approximately 1000 tons/day of waste is generated. SimaPro7 libraries through Eco-Indictor 99 method were used to obtain background data for the life cycle inventory and assessing mid and end points of environmental impacts. One ton of municipal solid waste of Isfahan was selected as the functional unit. Output of LCA along Economic and social effects were compared with Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution method. According to Multi-criteria Decision Making, S5 and S1 (recycling, composting and landfilling) were selected as best scenario in terms of lower environmental impacts (human health, ecosystem quality and resources) and finance requirements.