Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
LCA requires three stages: taking inventory, assessing impact, and
assessing improvements. Taking inventory involves using a database to
quantify energy and raw-material requirements (inputs) and environmental
outputs, such as air emissions, water effluents and solid and hazardous
waste for the life cycle of the product. Energy inputs should take into
account transformation costs (raw materials into products), transportation
costs and any reduction cost when using recycled materials. Recycling has
made some strides since 1980 but much more could be done. (Table 2-6)
Table 2-6. Generation and Recovery of Municipal Solid Waste
(millions of tons)
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1980 1990 1995 1999
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Total generated 151.5 206.2 211.4 229.9
Paper and paperboard 54.7 72.7 81.7 87.5
Ferrous metals 11.6 12.6 11.6 13.3
Aluminum 1.8 2.8 3.0 3.1
Other nonferrous metals 1.1 1.1 1.3 1.4
Glass 15.0 13.1 13.6 12.6
Plastics 7.9 17.1 18.9 24.2
Yard waste 27.5 35.0 29.7 27.7
Other wastes 31.9 50.7 52.4 60.1
Total recovered 14.5 23.6 54.9 63.9
Paper and paperboard 11.9 20.2 32.7 36.7
Ferrous metals 0.4 2.6 4.1 4.5
Aluminum 0.3 1.0 0.9 0.9
Other nonferrous metals 0.5 0.7 0.8 0.9
Glass 0.8 2.6 3.1 2.9
Plastics - 0.4 1.0 1.4
Yard waste - 4.2 9.0 12.6
Other wastes 0.6 1.8 3.2 4.0
% recovered total 9.6 16.4 26.0 27.8
Paper and peperboard 21.8 27.8 40.0 41.9
Ferrous metals 3.4 20.4 35.5 33.6
Aluminum 16.7 35.9 31.4 27.8
Other nonferrous metals 45.5 66.4 64.3 66.9
Glass 5.3 20.0 24.5 23.4
Plastics 0 2.2 5.2 5.6
Yard waste 0 12.0 30.3 45.3
Other wastes 1.9 3.6 6.1 6.7
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