The currently available waste lifecycle assessment (LCA) models rely on data and defaults that do not reflect the last decade of research.

Updating these models is critical.

State and local governments and businesses alike use these models to determine the best approach for managing solid waste that saves energy, returns materials to the economy, and reduces impacts.

Prioritized initiatives

Formed as a project of the US Circular Economy Coalition (CEC), we aim to cultivate active partners that use or rely on these lifecycle assessment tools in their sustainability and waste management work and research. These partners will form a working group of the CEC specifically on waste lifecycle assessment. This working group will:

  • Perform a gap assessment of current tools, both in terms of data and function

  • Develop a path forward to advance waste LCA. Subject to the Working Group’s deliberation, the path forward could include:

    • Engagement with the U.S. EPA to update existing tools.

    • Collaboration with U.S. Department of Energy and Argonne National Laboratory.

    • Creation of a “Waste LCA Roadmap” White Paper or manuscript for publication enumerating suggested changes

    • Development of an updated tool and model to address identified gaps.

    • Develop broader industry, government, and academic support for greater accuracy and transparency in waste LCAs.

If this is something that may interest your organization, please contact us.

“Life-cycle assessments can be an important tool for local governments because, done correctly, LCA can shed light on the true costs & benefits of policy decisions; particularly those pertaining to infrastructure development.

Such analyses may often lead to different decisions than would a strictly financial CBA. So for local governments, like York County Solid Waste Authority (YCSWA), a well-done LCA can serve as rationale favoring an approach to providing municipal services that is more environmentally responsible & sustainable, by enabling quantifiable consideration of long-term public health impacts together with financial outcomes.

Infrastructure is a long-term commitment.

LCA facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of the likely impacts of such commitments. LCA models used by local governments should be science-based, transparent, and rigorous to facilitate our best decision-making.

Hence, York County Solid Waste Authority’s interest in CEC’s work.”

-- Dave Vollero, Executive Director - York County Solid Waste Authority, CEC Board Member