What are the best ways to use life cycle assessment software for waste management?

1 Choose an appropriate software

When selecting an LCA software tool, you should take into account the scope and goal of your project, the availability and quality of data for your waste management system, the level of detail and accuracy you require, the compatibility and interoperability of the software with other tools and formats, as well as the user-friendliness and support of the software. You can consult online reviews, comparisons, and guides to help you make an informed decision that best suits your needs, budget, and expertise.

2 Define your system boundaries and functional unit

One of the most important steps in using LCA software is to define your system boundaries and functional unit. The system boundaries determine what processes and flows are included or excluded in your LCA model. The functional unit defines the reference unit for comparing different waste management options. For example, you can choose to compare the environmental impacts of managing one tonne of municipal solid waste, or one kilogram of plastic waste, or one cubic meter of landfill gas.

You should define your system boundaries and functional unit based on your LCA goal and scope, and the data availability and quality. You should also document and justify your choices, and report any assumptions and limitations.

4 Choose an impact assessment method

After entering data, you can use your LCA software to calculate the environmental impacts of your waste management system. To do this, you need to choose an impact assessment method that reflects your LCA goal and scope, and the environmental issues you want to address. An impact assessment method is a set of rules and factors that translate the inventory data into impact indicators, such as greenhouse gas emissions, water use, or toxicity.

There are many impact assessment methods available, each with different perspectives, assumptions, and limitations. You should choose a method that is widely accepted, scientifically robust, and relevant for your context. You can also use more than one method to compare and validate your results.

5 Interpret and communicate results

The final step in using LCA software is to interpret and communicate your results. You should use your LCA software to generate graphs, tables, charts, or reports that summarize and visualize your results. You should also use your LCA software to perform sensitivity, uncertainty, and scenario analyses to test the robustness and reliability of your results.

You should interpret your results in light of your LCA goal and scope, and the data quality and availability. You should identify the main drivers, hotspots, and trade-offs of your waste management system, and the potential improvement opportunities and recommendations. You should also acknowledge and discuss any limitations, uncertainties, and assumptions of your LCA.

You should communicate your results to your intended audience, such as decision-makers, customers, or regulators. You should use clear, concise, and relevant language and formats, and follow the principles of transparency, completeness, and credibility. You should also provide the necessary documentation and references to support your LCA.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?