Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
Waste Manag. 2010 Dec;30(12):2636-48. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2010.06.004.
A number of waste life cycle assessment (LCA) models have been gradually developed since the early 1990 s, in a number of countries, usually independently from each other. Large discrepancies in results have been observed among different waste LCA models, although it has also been shown that results from different LCA studies can be consistent. This paper is an attempt to identify, review and analyse methodologies and technical assumptions used in various parts of selected waste LCA models. Several criteria were identified, which could have significant impacts on the results, such as the functional unit, system boundaries, waste composition and energy modelling. The modelling assumptions of waste management processes, ranging from collection, transportation, intermediate facilities, recycling, thermal treatment, biological treatment, and landfilling, are obviously critical when comparing waste LCA models. This review infers that some of the differences in waste LCA models are inherent to the time they were developed. It is expected that models developed later, benefit from past modelling assumptions and knowledge and issues. Models developed in different countries furthermore rely on geographic specificities that have an impact on the results of waste LCA models. The review concludes that more effort should be employed to harmonise and validate non-geographic assumptions to strengthen waste LCA modelling.
自 20 世纪 90 年代初以来，许多国家都在逐步开发一些生命周期评估（LCA）模型，这些模型通常彼此独立。尽管已经表明，不同的 LCA 研究的结果可以是一致的，但不同的废物 LCA 模型之间的结果却存在着很大的差异。本文试图确定、审查和分析选定的废物 LCA 模型各个部分中使用的方法和技术假设。已经确定了几个可能对结果产生重大影响的标准，例如功能单位、系统边界、废物组成和能源建模。当比较废物 LCA 模型时，废物管理过程的建模假设，从收集、运输、中间设施、回收、热处理、生物处理和填埋，显然是至关重要的。本综述推断，废物 LCA 模型中的一些差异是由于它们开发的时间不同而固有的。预计后来开发的模型将受益于过去的建模假设和知识以及问题。在不同国家开发的模型还依赖于对废物 LCA 模型的结果有影响的地理特殊性。该综述得出结论，应该投入更多的努力来协调和验证非地理假设，以加强废物 LCA 建模。
