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APPLICATION OF THE US DECISION SUPPORT TOOL FOR MATERIALS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
Citation:
THORNELOE, S., K. WEITZ, AND J. JAMBECK. APPLICATION OF THE US DECISION SUPPORT TOOL FOR MATERIALS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT. WASTE MANAGEMENT. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 27(8):1006-1020, (2007).
Description:
EPA¿s National Risk Management Research Laboratory has led the development of a municipal solid waste decision support tool (MSW-DST). The computer software can be used to calculate life-cycle environmental tradeoffs and full costs of different waste management plans or recycling programs. The environmental methodology is based on the use of life-cycle assessment and the cost methodology is based on the full-cost accounting. Life-cycle inventory environmental impacts and costs are calculated from the point of collection, handling, transport, treatment and disposal. For any materials that are recovered form recycling, offsets are calculated to reflect potential emissions saving from use of virgin materials. The use of the MSW-DST provides a standardized format and consistent basis to compare alternatives.