Environmental Impacts of Electricity from Incineration and Gasification: How the LCA Approach Can Affect the Results

Waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies can offer sustainable solutions for waste, which no more be reused or recycled, such as the part of municipal solid waste (MSW) that is not suitable recycling processes. This study focused on environmental consequences production electricity from incineration and gasification MSW. To this aim, standardised life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was used. A inventory, mainly composed by primary data, provided. Starting these different highly shared LCA approaches were used to calculate potential impacts 1 kWh provided two analysed WtE technologies. The concern method accounting by-products (through an economic allocation a system expansion) inclusion/exclusion benefits due avoided landfill For each approach, impact-assessment results calculated with ReCiPe midpoint (H) method. comparison carried out (i) between obtained same technology but (ii) impact generated approach. From study, it emerged that, according rules, significantly change and, some categories, even lead opposite conclusions. In absence category rules harmonise assessments processes, therefore recommended development/use/reproduction/comparison studies valorisation should caution.