Model for evaluating municipal waste management system applying the LCA: Part II: Model verification

The aim of this study was to use the life cycle assessment (LCA) instrument to assess the different municipal solid waste (MSW) management scenarios for the South Bačka region. LCA has proven to be a very effective instrument for identifying strategies that minimize negative environmental impacts. A comparative analysis is very important for decision makers and planners in the waste sector. This paper presents the application of the LCA model described in the Part I of this study. This model combined life cycle inventory model (IWM2) and life cycle impact assessment method (Impact2002+) to compare and evaluate the municipal solid waste system with the purpose of identifying environmental benefits and disadvantages, as well as the economic cost of defined scenarios of waste management systems that could be implemented. The model was applied to a regional municipal waste management system in South Bačka (The Republic of Serbia). Four scenarios of waste management are defined. The scenarios include the combination of different treatments of waste (biological and thermal), and a sanitary landfill. The results show clear differences between the scenarios in the selected indicators and quantify the relative advantages and disadvantages of different waste management scenarios. The model is a useful tool to support decision-makers to choose the technology of solid municipal waste treatment. Also, the participants in the planning of solid waste management will enable a better understanding of the importance of LCA method. Finally, it will help the improvement of the strategic planning process in the field of environmental protection, without which it is impossible to achieve the concept of sustainable development in the AP Vojvodina.