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Development of a 2nd Generation Decision Support Tool to Optimize Resource and Energy Recovery for Municipal Solid Waste
Citation:
Thorneloe, S. Development of a 2nd Generation Decision Support Tool to Optimize Resource and Energy Recovery for Municipal Solid Waste. Presented at International Conference on LCA, Cetraro, ITALY, June 05 - 10, 2016.
Impact/Purpose:
This is a poster presentation of a presentation already cleared (see ORD-016492)
Description:
In 2012, EPA’s Office of Research and Development released the MSW decision support tool (MSW-DST) to help identify strategies for more sustainable MSW management. Depending upon local infrastructure, energy grid mix, population density, and waste composition and quantity, the most sustainable strategies will vary in regards to the net life-cycle assessment (LCA) impacts and cost. Users of this tool are able to identify opportunities to reduce carbon emissions and air criteria pollutants through optimization of MSW as a resource. The MSW-DST evaluates the material and energy flows from point of collection throughout the system (as shown in the figure) to aid in materials management decision-making, planning, and policy development. Over 400 downloads of the MSW-DST have occurred since 2012 by state and local government (21%), NGOs (10%), academia (25%), consultants (8%), federal government and military (11%), and industry (25%). This presentation will provide an overview of ongoing work to develop a 2nd generation tool that will update process models for LCA energy and environmental tradeoffs and cost. A multi-variate optimization algorithm will be embedded in the tool to facilitate dynamic analysis reflecting evolution of the MSW composition and management practices over time. Updates will be made to the user interface based on feedback from the current user group and ability to answer community-specific questions. Plans also include the use of advanced visualization and interpretation features for use in communicating results with stakeholders (e.g., the public, city officials, NGOs, businesses) to better advance more sustainable materials management.