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A series of journal articles are being developed that describe the modeling of the different
processes and the technical work conducted to develop data and information for inputs to the
models. The processes being modeled include collection, transfer stations, transportation,
electrical energy, materials recovery facilities, combustion, composting (yard and mixed waste),
refuse-derived fuel, anaerobic digestion, land filling, and manufacturing of products from virgin
and/or recovered materials. Our emphasis has been on data collection particularly for those
processes where there is limited information for us to evaluate the life-cycle emissions and energy
such as landfills and mixed-waste composting. We hope to 'complete the development of the
prototype of the decision support tool (DST) by the summer of 1998. Case studies will be
conducted once we have the working prototype, and we will be working with several
communities in the U.S. We are also planning a project with Italy's National Agency for
Environmental Protection. Each case study will be documented, and the results will be used to
help illustrate how the DST can be used for answering various questions that are facing local
government The final peer review is scheduled for the fall of 1999 after the draft final reports
and beta versions of the DST and database are completed. Based on the findings of the peer
review, the DST will be revised and the database updated prior to release of any final outputs that
are scheduled for release by the spring of 2000.
We have developed a web site for project documents and updates. The web site address is
http://www.epa.qov/docs/crb/apb/aDb.htm. We are updating the web site as needed as new
documents and updates are available. Further questions and updates on this research should be
forwarded to the EPA project officer at Thorneloe.Susan@epa.gov.
Why Use Life-Cycle Management When Modeling Integrated Waste Processes?
The life cycle of MSW starts with the production of consumer goods from virgin and/or
recovered materials. Eventually, these products are discarded to the MSW stream and may be
managed through a variety of options such as materials recovery, combustion, composting, and
landfilling. Those materials that are recovered and recycled will be incorporated into new
products and eventually will reenter the MSW stream. Life-cycle assessment provides an
approach to considering the different environmental emissions and resources required for different
strategies. The differences in needs between rural and urban areas as well as differing concerns
regarding air and water quality can influence the types of strategies that are selected. In the past,
communities have had to meet recycling or landfill diversion targets without a means to consider
site-specific issues. The outputs from this research win provide the mechanism for communities
to develop more efficient integrated solid waste management plans and enable decision-makers to
consider factors other than cost The scope of this project is different from the traditional life-
cycle study for a specific product A product life-cycle study focuses on the environmental effects
of a given product system from cradle to grave, whereas this study focuses on minimizing the
environmental burdens of the management of a ton of municipal solid waste (MSW). (White,
1995)
Life-Cycle Inventory and Cost Analysis Methodology Development
For each of the major system components, we are developing methodologies for life cycle
inventory (LCI) analysis using recent guidance (e.g., Keolcian and Menerey, 1993; SETAC, 1991;
Vigon et aL, 1993). LCI methods are needed to allocate energy consumption and environmental
2
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releases to individual components of the waste stream. This enables the evaluation of the
environmental implications of managing individual waste components in alternative management
strategies. For example, in management strategies where some portion of MSW is recovered, the
recovered material win ultimately be delivered to a facility for processing into a new consumer
good. Separation win occur during collection, at a materials recovery facility (MRF), or at
another waste management facility. Energy and resources will be expended to deliver the
recovered material to a processing facility. At this facility, additional energy and resources will be
expended to convert the recovered material to a new product The total amount of energy
required to recover the material from the waste stream and convert it to a new product wiH be
included in the inventory analysis. In addition, the amount of energy required to produce a similar
amount of product from virgin resources is included. The net amount of energy expended (or
saved) to recycle a material wfll then be calculated as the difference between generating
consumer goods from recovered materials versus generating them from mostly virgin resources.
A similar analysis is also being done for environmental releases (air, water, and solid waste).
For cost analysis, we are developing methodologies for operations that represent costs or
revenues to municipalities. Thus, the cost analysis will include all waste management operations
and any revenues generated through the sale of recovered materials or fuels.
The LCI and cost methodologies are implemented in process models. These models include sets
of equations that utilize the default (or user input) facility design information for individual unit
operations to calculate all LCI and cost parameters for each individual waste management
operation. LCI and cost parameters are calculated in the process models based on the quantity
and composition of waste entering each operation and thus are intricately linked to the system
waste flow equations. Process models are being developed for all waste management operations
included in the system components.
System Components
The system components for this research include the following major unit operations:
Manufacturing of Products from Virgin and Recycled Materials
Collection
Transfer Station
Inter-Unit Operation Transportation (including rail haul)
Materials Recovery Facility
Combustion (with and without energy recovery)
Composting (mixed MSW and yard waste)
Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF)
Anaerobic Digestion
Landfill (both with and without gas and kachate control; and operated as an
enhanced bioreactor)
All system components are linked together through a series of materials flow equations. These
equations determine the quantity and composition of materials flow to and .from each unit
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operation in the system. Most of the above process modules are complete except for those where
additional work is ongoing to complete data gaps (Lc., anaerobic digestion, compost facilities,
landfills, and RDF).
Data Collection
A large component of this research effort is collecting consistent environmental and cost data
across all unit operations so they can be compared directly. Currently, such data do not exist. For
example, although detailed data on air emissions are abundant for municipal waste combustion,
relatively little data on air emissions exist for collection, MRF, compost, and landfill operations.
Data for waste management operations are being compiled at two levels. First, all existing data
are compiled for individual waste management operations, and major gaps and deficiencies are
identified. Second, where major gaps or deficiencies exist, data are collected through contacts
with state and local governments, industry experts, and academia, and through laboratory or field
measurement and analysis.
Research being conducted by the University of Wisconsin at Madison is providing the data and
information needed for modeling mixed and yard waste composting operations on a waste
component basis (e.g., paper, food, yard, mixed waste). Another extensive effort by the
Environmental Industry Associations' Research and Education Foundation wOl collect data for
modem sanitary landfills. Other data are being obtained from primary sources in the U.S. and
Europe. This effort is resulting in one of the most complete efforts to date on the life-cycle
emissions associated with landfiHing municipal waste.
In addition, data are also being collected to provide an understanding of the difference in
emissions between products generated using "virgin" resources versus recovered materials. These
data are complete for aluminum, glass containers, old corrugated containers, and old newsprint
(ONP). Plastic resins, steel, office paper, and updates to ONP and aluminum ingots wfll be
completed in the next 6 months. This has been a tremendous challenge because there are not
publicly available life-cycle data for North America like there are for Europe. All information
being used will undergo several layers of review including that by our stakeholders and external
peer reviewers.
Main Research Products
The overall goal of this research is to develop information and tools that enable local governments
and solid waste planners to evaluate the environmental performance and cost of managing MSW.
The primary outputs of this research will include a database, decision support tool, and case
studies. Each of these outputs is described in the following sections.
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Computer Database Containing LCI and Cost Data
LCI data for individual waste management operations and upstream manufacturing
operations are being developed, including equipment requirements, energy requirement*,
material and byproduct throughput, and environmental releases. Cost data cover typical
capital and operating costs borne by local governments based on the waste management
system design. These data are also included in a stand-alone database. The database
allows users to search for data specific to a system unit operation, structure, or piece of
equipment and an LCI or cost parameter. A beta version is scheduled for completion in
the fall of 1998, and a final version is scheduled for completion in the fall of 1999.
Computer-Based Decision Support Tool
The decision support tool being developed through this research integrates default data
from the database, system materials flow equations, LCI and :ost methodologies, and an
optimization routine in a user-friendly interface. This tool is being designed to allow
MSW planners to enter site-specific data (or rely on the default data) to compare
alternative MSW management strategies for their communities' waste quantity and
composition and other constraints. A prototype version is anticipated in the spring of
1998 and a beta version in the spring of 1999.
Community Case Studies
Case studies are to be conducted to test the LCI and cost methodologies and the overall
decision support tool Initial case studies wfll take place in the spring of 1998 and are
designed to test the methodologies developed for individual operations (e.g., waste
collection, transportation, and MRFs). Future case studies win test the prototype decision
support tool Case study sites wfll include both urban and rural settings throughout the
U.S. to ensure that the decision support system is flexible enough to handle the wide range
of variation among local communities. In addition, discussions are ongoing in Italy and
the United Kingdom to conduct additional case studies.
Research Team
The research team for this project includes life cycle and solid waste management experts from
Research Triangle Institute, North Carolina State University, the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, Franklin Associates, and Roy F. Weston, Inc. The landfill life-cycle project -
- which focuses on state-of-the-art facilities — is being conducted by Ecobalance with funding
from U.S. and French solid waste management industries through the Environmental Industry
Associations' Research and Education Foundation. In addition, groups of EPA and DOE
advisors and stakeholders from industry, state and local governments, academia, and
environmental advocacy organizations are active participants in this unique forum.
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Summary
The next major event for this research is the peer review scheduled for the fall of 1999 before any
outputs are formally released. Current efforts are focused on completing the DST, data
collection, and beginning the case studies in the summer of 1998. We welcome input into this
research and applaud the efforts of others working towards providing a more scientifically based
approach for evaluating the different strategies for integrated waste management
Acknowledgements
The information contained in this paper has been developed as part of ongoing research funded
through an interagency agreement between the US EPA and the US DOE under EPA
Cooperative Agreement No. CR823052 with the Research Triangle Institute.
References
Keokian, G. A. and D. Menerey. 1993. Life Cycle Design Guidance Manual: Environmental
Requirements and The Product System. EPA/60(yR-92/226 (NTIS PB93-164507). Risk
Reduction Engineering Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH.
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 1991. A Technical Framework for Life-
Cycle Assessment. SETAC and the SETAC Foundation for Environmental Education,
Inc., Washington, DC.
Vigon, B.W., D.A. Tolle, B. W. Cornaby, C. L, Harrison, and T. L. BoguskL 1993. Life-Cycle
' Assessment: Inventory Guidelines and Principles. EPA/60Q/R-92/245 (NTIS PB93-
139681). Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH.
White, P., M. Franke, and P. Kindle. 1995. Integrated Solid Waste Management: A Life-cycle
' Inventory. Glasgow, UK: Blackie Academic & Professional
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NR.MRL-RTP-P-328
M TECHNICAL REPORT
(Pleat nod Inaniftloia on the rtterse
TA
comptetini)
REPORT NO.
EPA 600/A-98/064
RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION NO.
TITLE AND SUBTITLE
Development of Tools for Evaluating Integrated
Municipal Waste Management Using Life-cycle
Management
REPORT DATE
PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
/££iiT >;STJThornel°J5 iEPA);K.Weitz and S.Nishtala
^RTI); M.Barlaz and R.Ham (U.WI); and R.Ranjita
«, PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
PERFORMING OROANIZATION NAME ANO ADDRESS
RTI, PO Box 12194, RTP.NC 27707.
Univ. of WI, Madison, WI 53706.
NC State Univ., Raleigh, NC 27695.
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
CR823052 (RTI)
2. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
EPA, Office of Research and Development
Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Published paper;
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
EPA/60.0/13
s.SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES APPCD project officer is Susan A. Thorneloe. Mail Drop
541-2709. Presented at Workshop: Systems Engineering Models for Waste M
ment, Gothenburg, Sweden, 2/25-26/98.
63. 919/
anage-
s. ABSTRACT
paper give s an. overview of U.S. in-process municipal solid waste
[MSW) management research initiated in 1994 through funding by the U. S. EPA and
the U. S. Department of Energy to develop (1) a decision support tool; (2) a database;
and (3) case studies. This research is being done by Research Triangle Institute,
North Carolina State University, the University of Wisconsin, Franklin Associates,
Ltd. , and Roy F. Weston, Inc. through a cooperative agreement with EPA's Office
of Research and Development. MSW management increasingly is based on integrated
systems. Traditional evaluations have focused on individual processes and not the
combination of processes. Communities, planners, and policy makers are struggling
to make decisions regarding how to best manage MSW without the tools and informa-
tion that would help them evaluate the alternatives.
7.
KEY WORDS ANO DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
tUDENTIFIERS'/OPEN ENDED TERMS
c. COSATI Field/Group
Pollution
Wastes
Waste Treatment
Management
Evaluation
Life-Cycles
Pollution Control
Stationary Sources
Municipal Waste Man-
agement
13B
14G
05A
06P
21. NO. OF PAGES
6
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
Release to Public
19. SECURITY CLASS (ThisReport)
Unclassified
20. SECURITY CLASS (This page)
Unclassified
22. PRICE
EPA Form 22ZO-1 (9-73)
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