Life Cycle Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste Management within Open Dumping and Landfilling Contexts: A Strategic Analysis and Planning Responses Applicable to Algeria

Hamza Cheniti (), Kaouther Kerboua, Omar Sekiou (), Hani Amir Aouissi, Aissa Benselhoub, Rachida Mansouri, Ibtissem Zeriri, Karima Barbari, Jadranka Blazevska Gilev and Zihad Bouslama
Additional contact information
Hamza Cheniti: Department of Mining Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials, National Higher School of Technology and Engineering, Annaba 23005, Algeria
Kaouther Kerboua: Department of Process Engineering, National Higher School of Technology and Engineering, Annaba 23005, Algeria
Omar Sekiou: Environmental Research Center (CRE), Annaba 23000, Algeria
Hani Amir Aouissi: Environmental Research Center (CRE), Annaba 23000, Algeria
Aissa Benselhoub: Environmental Research Center (CRE), Annaba 23000, Algeria
Rachida Mansouri: Environmental Research Center (CRE), Annaba 23000, Algeria
Ibtissem Zeriri: Environmental Research Center (CRE), Annaba 23000, Algeria
Karima Barbari: Environmental Research Center (CRE), Annaba 23000, Algeria
Jadranka Blazevska Gilev: Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University Sts Cyril and Methodius, Rudjer Boskovic 16 Skopje, R., Skopje 1000, North Macedonia
Zihad Bouslama: Environmental Research Center (CRE), Annaba 23000, Algeria

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-21

Abstract: This paper examines Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management with a high organic matter content employing the Waste and Resource Assessment Tool for the Environment (WRATE) and the Ecoinvent database, by conducting a Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA). Four scenarios, aligned with Algeria’s National Waste Management Strategy, are analyzed as case studies. LCA results identify the baseline scenario (current state) as the worst case. Significant improvements (84% reduction in climate change impact) are observed for scenario 2 to 4, which incorporate methane capture and energy recovery. Likewise, acidification potential was reduced, while eutrophication balanced positively for scenario 1 to 3 and negatively for scenario 4, promoting sustainable practices. This study proposes an optimal solution where the MSW service covers the charges and starts generating profit by shifting from a flat rate of 2000 Algerian Dinars (DZD) per household per year to 1% of household income. This change aims for at least 41% cost recovery from citizens at the national level, with minimum recovery targets for composting (50%), recycling (25%), and efficient landfilling (15%), alongside 20% energy recovery. To align with the Waste Hierarchy priorities, the Algerian government should gradually restrict organic waste landfilling (54% of MSW) and promote composting. Additionally, Algeria should establish regulations to encourage recycling programs, such as implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations and setting recycling targets for various waste streams.

Keywords: municipal waste management; life cycle assessment; landfilling; climate change; Algeria (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/16/6930/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/16/6930/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:16:p:6930-:d:1455242

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().