LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS IN PESHAWAR

Abstract

Peshawar being a developing city of Pakistan generates 967 tons/day of waste. Effective municipal solid waste (MSW) management system is needed in this city since the collected waste is dumped in an open dumping site causing adverse environmental impacts. A secondary data has been obtained from the Water and Sanitation Services Company, Peshawar for a period of one year. This study included the categorization of MSW into several groups, namely biodegradable, combustible, plastics, and others. 1 tonne of MSW has been selected as the functional unit. The system boundary included treatment and disposal of MSW via various methods such as open dumping, incineration, and anaerobic digestion. Four different scenarios were developed as alternatives to the current waste management practice. For inventory data, Ecoinvent database in SimaPro version 9.3.0.3 is used. The data underwent evaluation using the RiCiPe 2016 methodology, employing midpoint impact categories as well as endpoint damage assessment categories. Based on the findings, S1 (open dumping), current MSW management practice in Peshawar, has exhibited the most significant adverse effects on both midpoint and endpoint impact categories followed by S2 (sanitary landfill). Conversely, S5 which involved the anaerobic digestion of biodegradable waste, incineration of combustible and plastics, and diversion of the remaining waste to the landfill, has demonstrated superior performance. Additionally, the findings of the sensitivity analysis done on plastic waste indicated their segregation and recycling the recyclable components can reduce the environmental burden. This research demonstrated the LCA as a beneficial tool for governors and managers in devising an integrated waste management strategy that yields more favourable environmental benefits.