Applying LCA to organic waste management in Piedmont, Italy

Purpose - The aim of the paper is to understand the environmental performances of the current management activities of organic waste from separate collection. Design/methodology/approach - A computer based from gate-to-cradle life cycle assessment (LCA) model has been developed by setting up appropriate expanded system boundaries, in order to carry out the assessment in the context of the whole waste management streamline. Findings - The environmental performances of existing aerobic and anaerobic plants, based on field measured data, were made available, paying attention to the role and contribution of waste management subsystems. Research limitations/implications - The need for actual and reliable data on materials and energy input, as well as gross and net gains from materials and energy recovery is probably the major drawback that must be faced when dealing with LCA in the waste management sector. Practical implications - This paper may help public administrators in better understanding the suitability of using LCA when developing solid waste management strategies. Originality/value - The study integrated the findings of different investigations from the literature with field measured data in order to obtain a more comprehensive framework representative of the area under study.