Kein Folientitel

1
Initial comparison of LCA studiesof biowaste
management
Sonja Schmidt
Department of Resources Flow Management
2
Criteria to compareLCA studies (of biowaste
management)
goal scope definition
inter-pretation
results, docu-men-tation of results and
uncer-tainties,
definition of functional unit and of system
boundaries,
3
LCA studies ofbiowaste management
4
Number and typeof calculated material flows
5
Treatment techniques and included subsystems
6
Documentation of results and uncertainties
7
Conclusionsand

• differences in results of LCA studies are due to
  differences in- the definition of spatial,
  functional, temporal system boundaries- the
  definition of the functional unit- the number
  and type of calculated material flows- ?
• agreed findings in results of (selected) LCA
  studiesLCA results of biowaste are mostly
  affected by- energetic aspects - aeriform
  emissions - number and type of substituted
  products- composition of waste material-
  ?Single impact categories are dominated by a
  specific subsystem- ?

8
and assumptions

• scientists/elaborators of LCA studies are
  interested in- detailed analysis- obtaining
  more/exact data- reducing uncertainty-
  including additional subsystems- in
  understanding unknown or new subsystems- ?
• the public/initiators/audience of LCA studies
  are interested in- valid results and in
  understanding LCA outcomes- simple results and
  decision support/recommendations- learning from
  former LCA results- ?

9
andquestions

• Is it important to investigate specific
  issues/details of a biowaste management system?
  Is it necessary to examine specific issues
  systematically? How should the system boundaries
  be widened?
• Is it necessary to amend the standard? If yes,
  which phase of LCA requires further
  standardisation?
• Is it necessary/important to combine LCA with
  other assessment methods? Is there a decision
  support tool for biowaste management?
• Does the public trust LCA results? Is reducing
  uncertainty an appropriate solution? How can
  uncertainties be reduced, measured, communicated
  and is this helpful? Is a participatory approach
  of developing and carrying out a LCA necessary?