LCA of metal recovery from waste incineration bottom ash

The important role gained by waste incineration in European waste management systems is recently clashing with increasing concerns about loss of resources in waste, i.e. metals. Even though the recovery of valuable resources in residues from waste incineration is becoming a widespread practice, a significant portions of valuables resources remains in the ash and ends up in disposal sites. The goal of this study was to investigate the environmental benefits of metal recovery from waste incineration bottom ash through life cycle assessment (LCA). The Danish system was used as case study and direct data from a metal recovery facility were used, while literature data and information on advanced metal sorting systems were used to build hypothetical scenarios achieving high recovery efficiencies. Impacts were characterized with respect to the impact categories global warming potential (GWP) and mineral abiotic resource depletion (ADmineral). Results showed benefits due to metal recovery for GWP and ADmineral: benefits were higher for scenarios where higher recovery efficiencies were achieved despite of the increased energy demand of the sorting system. Critical aspects concerning substitution between recycled metal and avoided products were pointed out. These will be part of a following work where also toxic categories and burdens related to the disposal/use of the BA will be addressed. 5th International Conference on Engineering for Waste and Biomass Valorisation August 25-28, 2014 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil