Waste management is at the heart of sustainability. With modern economies producing increasing volumes of waste, it’s crucial to ensure proper treatment and disposal to protect our ecosystems and human health. The ecoinvent database features hundreds of datasets dedicated to waste management, covering a wide range of sectors.
This sector is not only about waste disposal; it’s a multifaceted world. It encompasses solid waste management (SWM) and wastewater treatment (WWT), with more than 50 countries represented. As industries move towards greener practices, waste management increasingly intertwines with other sectors like recycling, energy production, and product design.
The ecoinvent database classifies waste products based on their treatment needs, making it easier to model their environmental impact. It includes various waste types, from municipal solid waste to plastics and glass. Emissions, chemicals, energy inputs, infrastructure, and by-products are all considered for a holistic view of waste management.
Three primary treatment methods are covered: mechanical (sorting), thermal (incineration), and biological (composting). Recycling data covers the production of secondary materials, while disposal datasets account for various methods like landfilling.
ecoinvent’s WWT sub-sector includes data for more than 20 different wastewater treatments, accommodating a wide range of industrial processes. Direct emissions, materials, energy inputs, infrastructure, and relevant by-products are modeled for a comprehensive understanding.
What’s more, all the tools used for modeling these datasets are freely accessible, allowing users to create specific treatments and waste scenarios. This data supports life cycle assessments, carbon footprint calculations, and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for a variety of products and services.
