TY - JOUR
T1 - Environmental assessment of home composting
AU - Colón, Joan
AU - Martínez-Blanco, Julia
AU - Gabarrell, Xavier
AU - Artola, Adriana
AU - Sánchez, Antoni
AU - Rieradevall, Joan
AU - Font, Xavier
PY - 2010/9/1
Y1 - 2010/9/1
N2 - In this study the environmental burdens of home composting were determined using the life cycle assessment (LCA) tool. Data used for the LCA study such as gas emissions (CH4, N2O, NH3 and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)), tools and composter characteristics were obtained from an experimental home composting process of leftovers of raw fruits and vegetables (LRFV). Stable compost with a high content of nitrogen and organic matter was obtained. Neither pathogens nor phytotoxic compounds were found in the final compost. In relation to gaseous emissions, only volatile organic compounds (0.32 kg VOC/Mg LRFV) were detected, even though ammonia, methane and nitrous oxide emissions were also measured. Regarding environmental burdens, the composter was the major contributor to the total home composting process impact for the impact categories of abiotic depletion, ozone layer depletion, and cumulative energy demand. Gaseous emissions (based on our own measurements and literature data) caused the greatest contribution to the acidification, eutrophication, global warming and photochemical oxidation potentials. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
AB - In this study the environmental burdens of home composting were determined using the life cycle assessment (LCA) tool. Data used for the LCA study such as gas emissions (CH4, N2O, NH3 and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)), tools and composter characteristics were obtained from an experimental home composting process of leftovers of raw fruits and vegetables (LRFV). Stable compost with a high content of nitrogen and organic matter was obtained. Neither pathogens nor phytotoxic compounds were found in the final compost. In relation to gaseous emissions, only volatile organic compounds (0.32 kg VOC/Mg LRFV) were detected, even though ammonia, methane and nitrous oxide emissions were also measured. Regarding environmental burdens, the composter was the major contributor to the total home composting process impact for the impact categories of abiotic depletion, ozone layer depletion, and cumulative energy demand. Gaseous emissions (based on our own measurements and literature data) caused the greatest contribution to the acidification, eutrophication, global warming and photochemical oxidation potentials. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
KW - Backyard composting
KW - Environmental impacts
KW - Gas emissions
KW - Home composting
KW - Life cycle assessment
KW - Municipal solid waste
KW - Waste management
U2 - 10.1016/j.resconrec.2010.01.008
DO - 10.1016/j.resconrec.2010.01.008
M3 - Article
SN - 0921-3449
VL - 54
SP - 893
EP - 904
JO - Resources, Conservation and Recycling
JF - Resources, Conservation and Recycling
IS - 11
ER -
