Review of waste management and life cycle assessment studies in megacities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35208/ert.1600136Keywords:
Life cycle assessment (LCA), megacity, municipal solid waste (MSW), municipal solid waste management (MSWM), environmental impact assessmentAbstract
This study reviews existing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies on municipal solid waste (MSW) management in megacities to evaluate their comprehensiveness and identify key research gaps. For this purpose, the Web of Science (WoS)and Science Direct databases were used. The findings reveal that while LCA studies provide valuable insights into the environmental and economic impacts of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) strategies, they predominantly focus on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and environmental concerns, with limited consideration of social, health, and policy aspects. Additionally, research primarily examines specific waste fractions such as food and packaging waste, whereas significant waste streams like hazardous waste and e-waste remain underexplored. Studies are largely city-specific, lacking cross-city comparisons that would facilitate broader generalizations. From an environmental perspective, MSWM strategies significantly impact global warming potential (GWP), acidification, nutrient enrichment, and net carbon emissions, with landfills and incineration being the most analyzed treatment methods.
However, alternative technologies, including advanced recycling and circular economy approaches, receive less attention. Economic assessments are also scarce, with limited studies evaluating the financial sustainability of MSWM strategies. Furthermore, research on megacities in developed countries is limited due to well-established waste management systems, strict regulations, and data accessibility challenges. Similarly, studies on lower-middle-income megacities are hindered by data scarcity, funding constraints, and weak regulatory frameworks. To enhance LCA research on MSWM, future studies should incorporate broader sustainability dimensions, address underexamined waste streams, and increase research coverage in both developed and lower-middle-income megacities. Expanding the analysis to include advanced waste treatment technologies, cross-city comparisons, and standardized LCA frameworks will support informed decision-making and more effective waste management policies.
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