Using a Life-Cycle Approach to Achieve Sustainable Municipal Solid WasteManagement Strategies in the United States

摘要

The paper discusses a computer-based decision support tool that has beendeveloped to assist local governments in evaluating the cost and environmental performance of integrated municipal solid waste (MSW) management systems. Ongoing case studies of the tool at the local level are summarized. The tool is also being evaluated for application at state and national levels through case studies. One state-level case study is summarized to illustrate how the decision support tool was used to estimate the environmental benefits of the state's recycling program over time.