Sustainability Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste in Baltimore USA

Sustainability assessment of municipal solid waste management requires a holistic approach in evaluating the impacts current technology and processes. In this study, sustainability analysis Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) incineration plant Baltimore city was performed to determine its environmental, economic, social impacts. The city’s major waste-to-energy generation has benefitted since inception till date terms processing, resulting electricity steam production for more than 40,000 homes over 200 businesses. life cycle impact analyzed using Simapro (LCA) software with Building Environmental Economic (BEES) database correlation. results obtained upon show larger values Global Warming Potential eutrophication potential as 6.46 × 108 Gg CO2 equivalence 2.27 106 N equivalence, respectively. These resulted from higher amount fossil NOx emitted plant. acidification 1.66 1017 H+ mmole eq SO2 by exceeded limitations set Protection Agency (EPA) on (150 ppm), which is detrimental well-being people shown study. Installing an improved processing such Selected Catalytic Reactor (SCR) can drastically reduce emission 45 ppm. Life Cycle Assessment confirmed suitable environmental MSW-to-energy treatment approach.