Life cycle analysis of waste management options for EBI in Quebec

Abstract

Quebec has issued a mandate requiring all waste management facilities to ban the landfilling of organic waste by 2020. EBI is considering Anaerobic Digestion as one of its alternative options, but is uncertain if it is the correct choice given its high costs. This thesis compares four alternative waste management options for EBI (Composting, Anaerobic Digestion, Incineration, and Microbial Fuel Cells) against the current Landfill situation. Environmental considerations are examined through GaBi Life Cycle Analysis software with a functional unit of 1 kg of organic waste, social considerations are assessed with the EPA/SETAC Social LCA Guidelines, and economic considerations are calculated on an annual basis. Anaerobic Digestion, while having a higher upfront investment of $770,000, has higher social and environmental benefits, with only one impressionable environmental impact, Eutrophication Potential. This cost also falls within EBI's constraint of the project costing under one million dollars. Composting is the second recommended option, with no initial investment due to its inclusion in the current infrastructure at EBI, and Global Warming Potential on a 100-year scale, Acidification Potential, and Eutrophication Potential as environmental impacts.