COMPARATIVE LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF DIFFERENT WASTE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS FOR GREEN WASTE

摘要

Management of green waste is a significant challenge in the US, where, in 2008 green waste was reported to be 13.2% of the 250 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) (USEPA, 2008). Because of its volume and potential use as a soil amendment, the disposal of green waste in lined landfills is banned in most states. In Europe, it is required that landfilling of biodegradable MSW be avoided, which has placed greater emphasis on waste-to-energy and recycling. Consequently, green waste is frequently composted, combusted, or ground in preparation for recycling. Grass-rich green waste can cause odor issues at composting facilities if improperly stored. Therefore, municipalities are investigating alternative strategies to reduce green waste volumes during peak periods such as encouraging residents to leave clippings on the lawn and direct application of green waste to agricultural land (Uhlar-Heffner et al., 1998). In Florida, a number of waste management facilities (WMF) offer ground green waste to the public to be used for agricultural and horticultural purposes. Most green waste is a beneficial soil amendment because it is a source of plant nutrients and organic matter.