A life-cycle inventory model of municipal solid waste combustion

Evaluation of alternate strategies for municipal solid waste (MSW) manageme nt requires models to calculate environmental emissions as a function of bo th waste quantity and composition. A methodology to calculate waste compone nt-specific emissions associated with MSW combustion is presented here. The methodology considers emissions at a combustion facility as well as those avoided at an electrical energy facility because of energy recovered from w aste combustion. Emission factors, in units of kg pollutant per metric ton MSW entering the combustion facility, are calculated for CO2-biomass, CO2-f ossil, SOx, HCl, NOx, dioxins/furans, PM, CO, and 11 metals. Water emission s associated with electrical energy offsets are also considered. Reductions in environmental emissions for a 500-metric-ton-per-day combustion facilit y that recovers energy are calculated.