1
|
Sauve G, Van Acker K. The environmental impacts of municipal solid waste landfills in Europe: A life cycle assessment of proper reference cases to support decision making. J Environ Manage 2020; 261:110216. [PMID: 32148286 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
In Europe, 23% of the generated municipal solid waste (MSW) was landfilled in 2017. Despite the landfill targets which define waste and landfill requirements, there is still high variability in the waste management performance between EU Member States. Aim of the study was to give an overview of the variability of environmental impacts of MSW sanitary landfills in Europe in relation to the different levels of implementation of the requirements. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was adopted as tool to define the impacts of the different landfill conditions over a 100-year period. Based on previous studies, consistent methodological choices were made to allow comparability of the results. Four reference cases were defined based on average bulk MSW compositions to represent the European conditions, with L0 values of 18, 61, 90 and 138 [m3 CH4/t waste]. Furthermore, multiple scenario analysis was used to increase the relevance of the assessment and address the variability of site-specific factors, such as waste composition, climatic conditions and landfill management, which influence the impacts of landfills. Results of the study showed the range of potential impacts in Europe in relation to the variation of influencing factors, with values for climate change ranging from 124 to 841 kg CO2 eq., and with environmental savings obtained for categories such as ecotoxicity and human toxicity for scenarios with landfill gas - to - energy (LFGTE) solutions. The results emphasized the dependence of landfill impacts on waste composition, but also on the LFG treatment and climatic conditions. The outcome of the study also highlight how low amounts of biodegradable fractions reduce the impacts of landfills, as well as their variability in relation to leachate production rates or LFG treatment solutions. Therefore the overall results support the current targets and requirements reported in the Waste Directive 2008/98/EC, Circular Economy package and Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Sauve
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44 - box 2450, 3001, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Karel Van Acker
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44 - box 2450, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liao Y, Koelewijn SF, Van den Bossche G, Van Aelst J, Van den Bosch S, Renders T, Navare K, Nicolaï T, Van Aelst K, Maesen M, Matsushima H, Thevelein JM, Van Acker K, Lagrain B, Verboekend D, Sels BF. A sustainable wood biorefinery for low–carbon footprint chemicals production. Science 2020; 367:1385-1390. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aau1567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 354] [Impact Index Per Article: 88.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The profitability and sustainability of future biorefineries are dependent on efficient feedstock use. Therefore, it is essential to valorize lignin when using wood. We have developed an integrated biorefinery that converts 78 weight % (wt %) of birch into xylochemicals. Reductive catalytic fractionation of the wood produces a carbohydrate pulp amenable to bioethanol production and a lignin oil. After extraction of the lignin oil, the crude, unseparated mixture of phenolic monomers is catalytically funneled into 20 wt % of phenol and 9 wt % of propylene (on the basis of lignin weight) by gas-phase hydroprocessing and dealkylation; the residual phenolic oligomers (30 wt %) are used in printing ink as replacements for controversial para-nonylphenol. A techno-economic analysis predicts an economically competitive production process, and a life-cycle assessment estimates a lower carbon dioxide footprint relative to that of fossil-based production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhe Liao
- Center for Sustainable Catalysis and Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Steven-Friso Koelewijn
- Center for Sustainable Catalysis and Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Gil Van den Bossche
- Center for Sustainable Catalysis and Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Joost Van Aelst
- Center for Sustainable Catalysis and Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Sander Van den Bosch
- Center for Sustainable Catalysis and Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Tom Renders
- Center for Sustainable Catalysis and Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Kranti Navare
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas Nicolaï
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, KU Leuven, and Center for Microbiology, VIB, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Korneel Van Aelst
- Center for Sustainable Catalysis and Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Maarten Maesen
- Lawter bvba, Ketenislaan 1C, Haven 1520, 9130 Kallo, Belgium
| | | | - Johan M. Thevelein
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, KU Leuven, and Center for Microbiology, VIB, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Karel Van Acker
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Economics and Corporate Sustainability, KU Leuven, Warmoesberg 26, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bert Lagrain
- Center for Sustainable Catalysis and Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Danny Verboekend
- Center for Sustainable Catalysis and Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Bert F. Sels
- Center for Sustainable Catalysis and Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Einhäupl P, Krook J, Svensson N, Van Acker K, Van Passel S. Eliciting stakeholder needs - An anticipatory approach assessing enhanced landfill mining. Waste Manag 2019; 98:113-125. [PMID: 31445456 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2019.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Landfill owners, governmental institutions, technology providers, academia and local communities are important stakeholders involved in Enhanced Landfill Mining (ELFM). This concept of excavating and processing historical waste streams to higher added values can be seen as a continuation of traditional landfill mining (LFM) and seems to be an innovative and promising idea for potential environmental and societal benefits. However, ELFM's profitability is still under debate, and environmental as well as societal impacts have to be further investigated. This study provides a first step towards an anticipatory approach, assessing ELFM through stakeholder integration. In the study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with various stakeholders, involved in a case study in Flanders, Belgium. Participants were selected across a quadruple helix (QH) framework, i.e. industrial, governmental, scientific, and local community actors. The research comprises 13 interviews conducted with an aim to elicit stakeholder needs for ELFM implementation using a general inductive approach. In total 18 different stakeholder needs were identified. The paper explains how the stakeholder needs refer to the different dimensions of sustainability, which groups of stakeholders they primarily affect, and what types of uncertainty could be influenced by their implementation. The stakeholder needs are structured into societal, environmental, regulatory and techno-economic needs. Results show additional economic, environmental, and societal aspects of ELFM to be integrated into ELFM research, as well as a need for the dynamic modeling of impacts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul Einhäupl
- Department of Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Science, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; Department of Engineering Management, Faculty of Business and Economics, UAntwerpen, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Joakim Krook
- Department of Management and Engineering, Environmental Technology and Management, Linköping University, Hus A, 3A, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Niclas Svensson
- Department of Management and Engineering, Environmental Technology and Management, Linköping University, Hus A, 3A, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Karel Van Acker
- Department of Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Science, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; Research Centre for Economics and Corporate Sustainability (CEDON), KU Leuven, Warmoesberg 26, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Steven Van Passel
- Department of Engineering Management, Faculty of Business and Economics, UAntwerpen, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Moraga G, Huysveld S, Mathieux F, Blengini GA, Alaerts L, Van Acker K, de Meester S, Dewulf J. Circular economy indicators: What do they measure? Resour Conserv Recycl 2019; 146:452-461. [PMID: 31274959 PMCID: PMC6559262 DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Circular Economy (CE) is a growing topic, especially in the European Union, that promotes the responsible and cyclical use of resources possibly contributing to sustainable development. CE is an umbrella concept incorporating different meanings. Despite the unclear concept, CE is turned into defined action plans supported by specific indicators. To understand what indicators used in CE measure specifically, we propose a classification framework to categorise indicators according to reasoning on what (CE strategies) and how (measurement scope). Despite different types, CE strategies can be grouped according to their attempt to preserve functions, products, components, materials, or embodied energy; additionally, indicators can measure the linear economy as a reference scenario. The measurement scope shows how indicators account for technological cycles with or without a Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) approach; or their effects on environmental, social, or economic dimensions. To illustrate the classification framework, we selected quantitative micro scale indicators from literature and macro scale indicators from the European Union 'CE monitoring framework'. The framework illustration shows that most of the indicators focus on the preservation of materials, with strategies such as recycling. However, micro scale indicators can also focus on other CE strategies considering LCT approach, while the European indicators mostly account for materials often without taking LCT into account. Furthermore, none of the available indicators can assess the preservation of functions instead of products, with strategies such as sharing platforms, schemes for product redundancy, or multifunctionality. Finally, the framework illustration suggests that a set of indicators should be used to assess CE instead of a single indicator.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Moraga
- Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Sophie Huysveld
- Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Fabrice Mathieux
- European Commission - Joint Research Centre, Sustainable Resources Directorate, Via E. Fermi 2749, 21027, Ispra, Italy
| | - Gian Andrea Blengini
- European Commission - Joint Research Centre, Sustainable Resources Directorate, Via E. Fermi 2749, 21027, Ispra, Italy
| | - Luc Alaerts
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karel Van Acker
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven de Meester
- Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5, 8500, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Jo Dewulf
- Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Di Maria A, Eyckmans J, Van Acker K. Downcycling versus recycling of construction and demolition waste: Combining LCA and LCC to support sustainable policy making. Waste Manag 2018; 75:3-21. [PMID: 29398268 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2018.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Urgent solutions are needed in Europe to deal with construction and demolition waste (CDW). EU policy has contributed to significantly reducing the amount of CDW going to landfill, but most of the effort has been put in downcycling practices. Therefore, further policies are needed to stimulate high-quality recycling of CDW. The present paper presents a combined life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) methodologies to analyse the environmental and the economic drivers in four alternative CDW end-of-life scenarios in the region of Flanders, in Belgium. The four analysed alternatives are (i) landfilling, (ii) downcycling, (iii) advanced recycling and (iv) recycling after selective demolition. LCA results show that landiflling is the scenario having the highest environmental impacts in terms of person equivalent (PE), followed by downcycling and recycling (-36%) and recycling after selective demolition (-59%). The decrease in environmental impacts is mostly due to the avoided landfilling of CDW and the recovery of materials from selective demolition. LCC results indicate that landfilling is the scenario bearing the highest total economic costs. This is due to the high landfill tax in Flanders. The recycling after selective demolition bears the second highest cost. The increase of high-quality CDW recycling can significantly reduce the overall environmental impact of the system. Implementing a high landfill tax, increasing the gate fee to the recycling plant, and boosting the sales price of recycled aggregates are the most effective drivers to facilitate a transition towards a more sustainable CDW management system. The paper demonstrates that the combined LCA and LCC results can highlight the environmental and economic drivers in CDW management. The results of the combined analysis can help policymakers to promote the aspects contributing to sustainability and to limit the ones creating a barrier.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Di Maria
- KU Leuven, Department of Materials Engineering, KasteelPark Arenberg 44, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Johan Eyckmans
- KU Leuven, Faculty of Economics and Business, Naamsestraat 69, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karel Van Acker
- KU Leuven, Department of Materials Engineering, KasteelPark Arenberg 44, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Danthurebandara M, Van Passel S, Vanderreydt I, Van Acker K. Assessment of environmental and economic feasibility of Enhanced Landfill Mining. Waste Manag 2015; 45:434-447. [PMID: 25708403 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2015.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2014] [Revised: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This paper addresses the environmental and economic performance of Enhanced Landfill Mining (ELFM). Based on life cycle assessment and life cycle costing, a detailed model is developed and is applied to a case study, i.e. the first ELFM project in Belgium. The environmental and economic analysis is performed in order to study the valorisation of different waste types in the landfill, such as municipal solid waste, industrial waste and total waste. We found that ELFM is promising for the case study landfill as greater environmental benefits are foreseen in several impact categories compared to the landfill's current situation (the 'Do-nothing' scenario). Among the considered processes, the thermal treatment process dominates both the environmental and economic performances of ELFM. Improvements in the electrical efficiency of thermal treatment process, the calorific value of refuse derived fuel and recovery efficiencies of different waste fractions lead the performance of ELFM towards an environmentally sustainable and economically feasible direction. Although the environmental and economic profiles of ELFM will differ from case to case, the results of this analysis can be used as a benchmark for future ELFM projects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maheshi Danthurebandara
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; Center for Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Business Economics, Hasselt University, Agoralaan, Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - Steven Van Passel
- Center for Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Business Economics, Hasselt University, Agoralaan, Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Ive Vanderreydt
- Sustainable Materials Management Unit, VITO NV, 2400 MOL, Belgium
| | - Karel Van Acker
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Danthurebandara M, Van Passel S, Vanderreydt I, Van Acker K. Environmental and economic performance of plasma gasification in Enhanced Landfill Mining. Waste Manag 2015; 45:458-467. [PMID: 26119012 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2015.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Revised: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This paper describes an environmental and economic assessment of plasma gasification, one of the viable candidates for the valorisation of refuse derived fuel from Enhanced Landfill Mining. The study is based on life cycle assessment and life cycle costing. Plasma gasification is benchmarked against conventional incineration, and the study indicates that the process could have significant impact on climate change, human toxicity, particulate matter formation, metal depletion and fossil depletion. Flue gas emission, oxygen usage and disposal of residues (plasmastone) are the major environmental burdens, while electricity production and metal recovery represent the major benefits. Reductions in burdens and improvements in benefits are found when the plasmastone is valorised in building materials instead of landfilling. The study indicates that the overall environmental performance of plasma gasification is better than incineration. The study confirms a trade-off between the environmental and economic performance of the discussed scenarios. Net electrical efficiency and investment cost of the plasma gasification process and the selling price of the products are the major economic drivers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maheshi Danthurebandara
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
| | - Steven Van Passel
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ive Vanderreydt
- Sustainable Materials Management Unit VITO NV, 2400 MOL, Belgium
| | - Karel Van Acker
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dubois M, Hoogmartens R, Van Passel S, Van Acker K, Vanderreydt I. Innovative market-based policy instruments for waste management: A case study on shredder residues in Belgium. Waste Manag Res 2015; 33:886-893. [PMID: 26395844 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x15600053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In an increasingly complex waste market, market-based policy instruments, such as disposal taxes, can give incentives for sustainable progress while leaving flexibility for innovation. However, implementation of disposal taxes is often criticised by domestic waste handlers that fear to be outcompeted by competitors in other countries. The article discusses three innovative market-based instruments that limit the impact on international competitiveness: Tradable recycling credits, refunded disposal taxes and differentiated disposal taxes. All three instruments have already been implemented for distinct environmental policies in Europe. In order to illustrate how these instruments can be used for waste policy, the literature review is complemented with a case study on shredder residues from metal-containing waste streams in Belgium. The analysis shows that a conventional disposal tax remains the most efficient, simple and transparent instrument. However, if international competition is a significant issue or if political support is weak, refunded and differentiated disposal taxes can have an added value as second-best instruments. Tradable recycling credits are not an appropriate instrument for use in small waste markets with market power. In addition, refunded taxes create similar incentives, but induce lower transactions costs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Dubois
- Policy Research Centre for Sustainable Materials, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rob Hoogmartens
- Policy Research Centre for Sustainable Materials, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium Center for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Steven Van Passel
- Center for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Karel Van Acker
- Policy Research Centre for Sustainable Materials, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ive Vanderreydt
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research, VITO, Mol, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
The reaction kinetics of Zn vapor with Fe3O4 (magnetite) were studied from 907 to 1100 °C using a new experimental setup that only allows contact between the reactants through a gas-solid reaction. Hematite was used to create the reaction pellets. Because of the reducing atmosphere in the setup, a magnetite layer is formed on the outside of the pellet, which in turn reacts with the Zn vapor. After reaction, Zn concentration profiles were measured in the reacted magnetite layer using field-emission gun electron probe microanalysis. The reaction was confirmed to be diffusion-controlled. The effect of both volume and grain-boundary diffusion was observed in each experiment. The temperature dependence of both the volume and grain-boundary diffusion coefficients was obtained along with the activation energies of the diffusion coefficients. This study provides crucial information for the development of technologies that are dependent on the reaction. One example is the in-process separation technology for the separation of Zn vapor from electric arc furnace off-gas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Suetens
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, Box 2450, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Muxing Guo
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, Box 2450, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Karel Van Acker
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, Box 2450, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Bart Blanpain
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, Box 2450, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|