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In order to meet the EU's climate and resource efficiency targets, changes in our daily-life behaviours, as well as business models, are urgently necessary. More insights are needed to make real changes based on research with a systems perspective. We developed a system dynamics model to analyse the environmental benefits of a transition from ownership-based to access-based household laundry activities. The model considers demographic, technological and behavioural aspects and thereby assesses the environmental impact of laundry activities. The model is applied to the Swedish as well as the European context and allows cross-country comparisons. The results indicate a significant potential of the sharing economy. The higher utilisation of shared machines and extended lifespans of the machines can cut greenhouse gas emissions by a third and lower raw material usage overall and lower primary raw material in production due to higher recycling rates. The carbon intensity of the energy mix is a crucial factor for the environmental consequences that arise through changes in energy usage due to sharing economy practices. This case study shows the value of adopting policies that could promote sharing and extended life spans.
Raphael Wasserbaur; Tomohiko Sakao; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Andrius Plepys; Carl Dalhammar. What if everyone becomes a sharer? A quantification of the environmental impact of access-based consumption for household laundry activities. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2020, 158, 104780 .
AMA StyleRaphael Wasserbaur, Tomohiko Sakao, Maria Ljunggren Söderman, Andrius Plepys, Carl Dalhammar. What if everyone becomes a sharer? A quantification of the environmental impact of access-based consumption for household laundry activities. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2020; 158 ():104780.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRaphael Wasserbaur; Tomohiko Sakao; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Andrius Plepys; Carl Dalhammar. 2020. "What if everyone becomes a sharer? A quantification of the environmental impact of access-based consumption for household laundry activities." Resources, Conservation and Recycling 158, no. : 104780.
A circular economy aims at decoupling value creation from resource throughput. For circular economy to contribute to environmental and resource improvements, there is need for critical assessments regarding in what general situations, beyond individual cases, solutions may lead to improvements. On the product-level, there is need for synthesized knowledge accounting for a wide range of contexts and environmental impacts. We investigate what resource efficiency (RE) measures result in reduced physical flows and environmental impacts, depending on the characteristics of products and their life cycles. The study is limited to physical measures on a product system level, irrespective of manner of implementation. A library of comparative assessments (primarily life cycle assessments and material flow analyses) was built, covering a wide range of products and RE measures. A framework was formulated for analysing for which product characteristics a measure tends to improve RE, and under which contexts there are trade-offs to take into account. For example, sharing of products is best suited for durable and infrequently used products that tend not to reach their full technical lifetime. A trade-off is that sharing can increase transportation for accessing shared stock. The identified key product characteristics were: whether products are consumable or durable, active or passive, typically used for their full technical lifetimes or discarded before being worn out, the product’s frequency of use and whether function remains at a product’s end of use. Pace of development matters for suitability of measures for active, durable products, while complexity is relevant for restorative measures and recycling.
Daniel Böckin; Siri Willskytt; Hampus André; Anne-Marie Tillman; Maria Ljunggren Söderman. How product characteristics can guide measures for resource efficiency — A synthesis of assessment studies. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2019, 154, 104582 .
AMA StyleDaniel Böckin, Siri Willskytt, Hampus André, Anne-Marie Tillman, Maria Ljunggren Söderman. How product characteristics can guide measures for resource efficiency — A synthesis of assessment studies. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2019; 154 ():104582.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaniel Böckin; Siri Willskytt; Hampus André; Anne-Marie Tillman; Maria Ljunggren Söderman. 2019. "How product characteristics can guide measures for resource efficiency — A synthesis of assessment studies." Resources, Conservation and Recycling 154, no. : 104582.
Circular measures such as long-life designs, reuse, repair and recycling have been suggested for prolonging scarce metal life cycles and reducing the dependence on primary resources. This paper explores to what extent circular measures could mitigate metals scarcity when adopted to complex products. Based on three real cases, the effect of extending the use of laptops, smartphones and LED systems before recycling are assessed for between 7 and 15 scarce metals using material flow analysis. As expected, benefits can be gained from such extensions, but, importantly, differ substantially between metals since they occur in various components with various service lifetimes and functional recycling rates vary. Notably, risks of flipping the ranking in favor of short use before recycling are identified: if service lifetimes are short, designs are metal-intensive or if metal contents differ between products. Furthermore, regardless of measure, sizable and varying losses of each metal from functional use occur since all products are not collected for recycling and all metals are not functionally recycled. Thus, neither use extension measures nor recycling can alone nor in combination radically mitigate metals scarcity and criticality currently. Overall, it is a challenge to target the multitude of scarce and critical metals applied in complex products through circular measures. Careful analysis beyond simplified guidelines such as öR frameworks” are recommended. As the importance of scarce metals availability and the attention to the circular economy are expected to continue, these insights may be used for avoiding efforts with unclear or minor benefits or even drawbacks.
Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Hampus André. Effects of circular measures on scarce metals in complex products – Case studies of electrical and electronic equipment. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2019, 151, 104464 .
AMA StyleMaria Ljunggren Söderman, Hampus André. Effects of circular measures on scarce metals in complex products – Case studies of electrical and electronic equipment. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2019; 151 ():104464.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Ljunggren Söderman; Hampus André. 2019. "Effects of circular measures on scarce metals in complex products – Case studies of electrical and electronic equipment." Resources, Conservation and Recycling 151, no. : 104464.
Cars and electronic products are characterised by high metal complexity. Meanwhile, recycling industries are not fully aligned with this complexity, leading to losses of unique scarce metal resources. By utilising the technological innovation system framework we identify, and discuss implications of, factors that impact on recycling of some precious (gold, palladium, silver) and minor metals (gallium, tantalum) in printed circuit boards (PCBs) present in Swedish end-of-life cars (ELVs) and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). We conclude that while precious metals from WEEE PCBs are currently recycled, recycling precious metals from ELV PCBs will likely remain a challenge in the near-term due to recycling being blocked by the material composition of ELV waste, design of waste legislation, and by accumulated capabilities and business models in current recycling industries. However, some of these blocking factors are open to direct influence from national policymakers or industry actors and may thus be alleviated more easily. In contrast, recycling minor metals from ELV or WEEE PCBs will likely remain challenging also in the long-term due to a larger set of blocking factors. Alleviating these may require a substantial portfolio of metal-specific policies at national and supra national levels supporting the build-up of entirely new recycling value chains.
Magnus Andersson; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Björn A. Sandén. Challenges of recycling multiple scarce metals: The case of Swedish ELV and WEEE recycling. Resources Policy 2019, 63, 101403 .
AMA StyleMagnus Andersson, Maria Ljunggren Söderman, Björn A. Sandén. Challenges of recycling multiple scarce metals: The case of Swedish ELV and WEEE recycling. Resources Policy. 2019; 63 ():101403.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMagnus Andersson; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Björn A. Sandén. 2019. "Challenges of recycling multiple scarce metals: The case of Swedish ELV and WEEE recycling." Resources Policy 63, no. : 101403.
The circular economy is proposed to reduce environmental impact, but as yet, there is limited empirical evidence of this sort from studying real, commercial circular economy business cases. This study investigates the environmental impacts of using second-hand laptops, mediated by a commercial reuse operation, instead of new ones. The method used is life cycle assessment (LCA) and special attention is given to laptops' metal resource use by using several complementary life cycle impact assessment methods. The results show that all activities required to enable reuse of laptops are negligible, despite the reuse company's large geographical scope. Two principal features of reuse reduce environmental impacts. Firstly, use extension reduces all impacts considerably since there are large embedded impacts in components. Secondly, the reuse company steers non-reusable laptops into state-of-the-art recycling. This provides additional impact reductions, especially with regards to toxicity and metal resource use. The results for metal resource use however diverge between LCIA methods in terms of highlighted metals which, in turn, affects the degree of impact reduction. LCIA methods that characterise functionally recycled metals as important, result in larger impact reduction, since these emphasise the merits of steering flows into state-of-the-art recycling. The study thus demonstrates how using second-hand laptops, mediated by a commercial reuse operation, compared to new ones, in practice, reduces different types of environmental impact through synergistic relationships between reuse and recycling. Moreover, it illustrates how the choice of LCIA method can influence interpretations of metal resource use impacts when applying circular economy measures to information and communication technologies (ICT).
Hampus André; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Anders Nordelöf. Resource and environmental impacts of using second-hand laptop computers: A case study of commercial reuse. Waste Management 2019, 88, 268 -279.
AMA StyleHampus André, Maria Ljunggren Söderman, Anders Nordelöf. Resource and environmental impacts of using second-hand laptop computers: A case study of commercial reuse. Waste Management. 2019; 88 ():268-279.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHampus André; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Anders Nordelöf. 2019. "Resource and environmental impacts of using second-hand laptop computers: A case study of commercial reuse." Waste Management 88, no. : 268-279.
A greater quantity and variety of materials are being produced worldwide to meet demand for consumer products, buildings and infrastructure. Additionally, highly diffused products such as cars and electronics have become materially complex and depend on numerous scarce metals. Consequently, managing the societal supply of a variety of materials and metals sustainably is becoming increasingly important. This includes the use of efficient and effective waste management. However, the current management of waste in general and of waste consumer products specifically, have been pointed out as requiring significant developments to become more advanced to cope with the increasing material complexity. It has also been pointed out that research taking systems perspectives is crucial to improve waste management. Additionally, researching change processes and the co-evolution of social and technical factors (i.e., socio-technical change), has furthered the understanding of how ‘green’ industries develop in other empirical fields. Consequently, both systemic and socio-technical perspectives are likely relevant to waste management research. We used the Scopus database to search for 31 research approaches associated with such perspectives in journal articles writing about waste management in general, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) or end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). We conclude that, although the majority of the examined research does not mention the considered approaches, some environmental system analysis approaches are frequently mentioned and show signs of growth in adoption. In contrast, socio-technical approaches are scarcely mentioned. Consequently, we argue that there are relevant scientific tools yet to be adopted in waste management, WEEE and ELV research.
Magnus Andersson; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Björn Sandén. Adoption of Systemic and Socio-Technical Perspectives in Waste Management, WEEE and ELV Research. Sustainability 2019, 11, 1677 .
AMA StyleMagnus Andersson, Maria Ljunggren Söderman, Björn Sandén. Adoption of Systemic and Socio-Technical Perspectives in Waste Management, WEEE and ELV Research. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (6):1677.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMagnus Andersson; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Björn Sandén. 2019. "Adoption of Systemic and Socio-Technical Perspectives in Waste Management, WEEE and ELV Research." Sustainability 11, no. 6: 1677.
This study analyses the socio-economic value of trade of combustible waste, taking Denmark as an example for importing countries with large district heating networks and already high shares of variable renewable energy. An integrated systems analysis framework allowed to assess under which circumstances import of wastes leads to less expensive waste management and energy, accounting for increasing ambitions for a circular economy and renewable energy. The dynamics of both systems are captured through two optimization models, which are solved simultaneously. OptiFlow optimizes Danish waste management and transport, and Balmorel, the Northern European energy system. Results show that waste import to cover the existing Danish incineration overcapacity during wintertime has definite economic value. Conversely, summertime import can have negative value unless a gate fee is received, with the exception of imports of waste with high calorific content (>16.2 GJ/t). In some cases, mothballing of up to 14% of the existing incineration plants is a cost-efficient alternative to decrease the level of over-capacity. In the longer term, results show a socio-economic value of importing waste, being mainly sensitive to assumptions regarding biomass prices and wind power cost, as the technologies would compete with incineration plants. The present methodology can be applied to other countries where waste-to-energy participates in district heating, and where variable renewable electricity and constraints on biomass resources are becoming important. A pan-regional approach regarding waste management planning to maximize the value from combustible waste might be desired, along with a coherent taxation to avoid competition based on tax differences.
Amalia Pizarro-Alonso; Ciprian Cimpan; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Hans Ravn; Marie Münster. The economic value of imports of combustible waste in systems with high shares of district heating and variable renewable energy. Waste Management 2018, 79, 324 -338.
AMA StyleAmalia Pizarro-Alonso, Ciprian Cimpan, Maria Ljunggren Söderman, Hans Ravn, Marie Münster. The economic value of imports of combustible waste in systems with high shares of district heating and variable renewable energy. Waste Management. 2018; 79 ():324-338.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAmalia Pizarro-Alonso; Ciprian Cimpan; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Hans Ravn; Marie Münster. 2018. "The economic value of imports of combustible waste in systems with high shares of district heating and variable renewable energy." Waste Management 79, no. : 324-338.
A scalable life cycle inventory (LCI) model, which provides mass composition and manufacturing data for a power electronic inverter unit intended for controlling electric vehicle propulsion motors, was developed. The purpose is to fill existing data gaps for life cycle assessment (LCA) of electric vehicles. The model comprises new and easy-to-use data with sufficient level of detail to enable proper component scaling and more in-depth analysis of inverter units. It represents a stand-alone three-phase inverter with insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), typical in electric vehicles. This article (part I) explains the modeling of the inverter design including the principles for scaling, exemplifies results, and evaluates the models’ mass estimations. Data for the design of power electronic inverter units was compiled from material content declarations, textbooks, technology benchmarking literature, experts in industry, and product descriptions. Detailed technical documentation for two electrically and electronically complete inverter units were used as a baseline and were supplemented with data for casings, connectors, and bus bars suitable for automotive applications. Data, theory, and design rules were combined to establish a complete model, which calculates the mass of all subparts from an input of nominal power and DC system voltage. The validity of the mass estimates was evaluated through comparison with data for real automotive inverter units. The results of the LCI model exemplifies how the composition of the inverter unit varies within the model range of 20–200 kW and 250–700 V, from small passenger car applications up to distribution trucks or city buses. The models’ mass estimations deviate up to 14% from the specified mass for ten examples of real inverter units. Despite the many challenges of creating a generic model of a vehicle powertrain part, including expected variability in design, all results of the model validation fall within the targeted goal for accuracy. The LCI model combines different principles for the scaling of subparts into one model that capture important design implications of different power demands and voltage ratings. The model can be used for a generic estimation of the mass and material composition of a power electronic inverter unit controlling electric propulsion motors, for LCA, when specific data is lacking.
Anders Nordelöf; Mikael Alatalo; Maria Ljunggren Söderman. A scalable life cycle inventory of an automotive power electronic inverter unit—part I: design and composition. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 2018, 24, 78 -92.
AMA StyleAnders Nordelöf, Mikael Alatalo, Maria Ljunggren Söderman. A scalable life cycle inventory of an automotive power electronic inverter unit—part I: design and composition. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 2018; 24 (1):78-92.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnders Nordelöf; Mikael Alatalo; Maria Ljunggren Söderman. 2018. "A scalable life cycle inventory of an automotive power electronic inverter unit—part I: design and composition." The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 24, no. 1: 78-92.
Magnus Andersson; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Björn Sandén. Lessons from a century of innovating car recycling value chains. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions 2017, 25, 142 -157.
AMA StyleMagnus Andersson, Maria Ljunggren Söderman, Björn Sandén. Lessons from a century of innovating car recycling value chains. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions. 2017; 25 ():142-157.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMagnus Andersson; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Björn Sandén. 2017. "Lessons from a century of innovating car recycling value chains." Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions 25, no. : 142-157.
Waste management has developed in many countries and will continue to do so. Changes towards increased recovery of resources in order to meet climate targets and for society to transition to a circular economy are important driving forces. Scenarios are important tools for planning and assessing possible future developments and policies. This paper presents a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) model for environmental assessments of scenarios and waste management policy instruments. It is unique by including almost all waste flows in a country and also allow for including waste prevention. The results show that the environmental impacts from future waste management scenarios in Sweden can differ a lot. Waste management will continue to contribute with environmental benefits, but less so in the more sustainable future scenarios, since the surrounding energy and transportation systems will be less polluting and also because less waste will be produced. Valuation results indicate that climate change, human toxicity and resource depletion are the most important environmental impact categories for the Swedish waste management system. Emissions of fossil CO2 from waste incineration will continue to be a major source of environmental impacts in these scenarios. The model is used for analyzing environmental impacts of several policy instruments including weight based collection fee, incineration tax, a resource tax and inclusion of waste in a green electricity certification system. The effect of the studied policy instruments in isolation are in most cases limited, suggesting that stronger policy instruments as well as combinations are necessary to reach policy goals as set out in for example the EU action plan on circular economy.
Yevgeniya Arushanyan; Anna Björklund; Ola Eriksson; Göran Finnveden; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Jan-Olov Sundqvist; Åsa Stenmarck. Environmental Assessment of Possible Future Waste Management Scenarios. Energies 2017, 10, 247 .
AMA StyleYevgeniya Arushanyan, Anna Björklund, Ola Eriksson, Göran Finnveden, Maria Ljunggren Söderman, Jan-Olov Sundqvist, Åsa Stenmarck. Environmental Assessment of Possible Future Waste Management Scenarios. Energies. 2017; 10 (2):247.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYevgeniya Arushanyan; Anna Björklund; Ola Eriksson; Göran Finnveden; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Jan-Olov Sundqvist; Åsa Stenmarck. 2017. "Environmental Assessment of Possible Future Waste Management Scenarios." Energies 10, no. 2: 247.
Improved recycling of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) may serve as an important strategy to address resource security risks related to increased global demand for scarce metals. However, in-depth knowledge of the magnitude and fate of such metals entering ELV recycling is lacking. This paper quantifies input of 25 scarce metals to Swedish ELV recycling, and estimates the extent to which they are recycled to material streams where their metal properties are utilised, i.e. are functionally recycled. Methodologically, scarce metals are mapped to main types of applications within newly produced Swedish car models and subsequently, material flow analysis of ELV waste streams is used as basis for identifying pathways of these applications and assessing whether contained metals are functionally recycled. Results indicate that, of the scarce metals, only platinum may be functionally recycled in its main application. Cobalt, gold, manganese, molybdenum, palladium, rhodium and silver may be functionally recycled depending on application and pathways taken. For remaining 17 metals, functional recycling is absent. Consequently, despite high overall ELV recycling rates of materials in general, there is considerable risk of losing ELV scarce metals to carrier metals, construction materials, backfilling materials and landfills. Given differences in the application of metals and identified pathways, prospects for increasing functional recycling are discussed.
Magnus Andersson; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Björn Sandén. Are scarce metals in cars functionally recycled? Waste Management 2017, 60, 407 -416.
AMA StyleMagnus Andersson, Maria Ljunggren Söderman, Björn Sandén. Are scarce metals in cars functionally recycled? Waste Management. 2017; 60 ():407-416.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMagnus Andersson; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Björn Sandén. 2017. "Are scarce metals in cars functionally recycled?" Waste Management 60, no. : 407-416.
ProSUM - Latin for “I am useful” - aims to provide better information on raw materials from secondary origins. It focuses in particular on the content of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) from Batteries (BATT), Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), End of Life Vehicles (ELV) and Mining Wastes (MIN) available for processing in Europe. However, data for these products are usually very scattered amongst a variety of institutions, including government agencies, universities, NGOs and industry. This deficit is addressed in this H2020 funded project. ProSUM will establish a European network of expertise on secondary sources of CRMs, vital to today's high-tech society. It coordinates efforts to collect secondary CRM data and collate maps of stocks and flows for materials and products in the “urban mine”. The project will construct a comprehensive inventory identifying and mapping CRM stocks and flows across the European Union (EU). Via a user-friendly, open-access Urban Mine Knowledge Data Platform (EU-UMKDP), it will combine and relate them to primary raw materials data from the EU-FP7 Minerals4EU project and communicate the results online through the future European Geological Data Infrastructure (EGDI) at large. It will also provide update protocols, standards and recommendations to maintain and expand the EU-UMKDP in the future.
Jaco Huisman; Hina Habib; Michelle Guzman Brechu; Sarah Downes; Lucia Herreras; Amund N. Lovik; Patrick Wager; Daniel Cassard; Francois Tertre; Paul Mahlitz; Susanne Rotter; Perrine Chancerel; Maria Ljunggren Soderman. ProSUM: Prospecting secondary Raw Materials in the Urban Mine and Mining Wastes. 2016 Electronics Goes Green 2016+ (EGG) 2016, 1 -8.
AMA StyleJaco Huisman, Hina Habib, Michelle Guzman Brechu, Sarah Downes, Lucia Herreras, Amund N. Lovik, Patrick Wager, Daniel Cassard, Francois Tertre, Paul Mahlitz, Susanne Rotter, Perrine Chancerel, Maria Ljunggren Soderman. ProSUM: Prospecting secondary Raw Materials in the Urban Mine and Mining Wastes. 2016 Electronics Goes Green 2016+ (EGG). 2016; ():1-8.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJaco Huisman; Hina Habib; Michelle Guzman Brechu; Sarah Downes; Lucia Herreras; Amund N. Lovik; Patrick Wager; Daniel Cassard; Francois Tertre; Paul Mahlitz; Susanne Rotter; Perrine Chancerel; Maria Ljunggren Soderman. 2016. "ProSUM: Prospecting secondary Raw Materials in the Urban Mine and Mining Wastes." 2016 Electronics Goes Green 2016+ (EGG) , no. : 1-8.
The need for new policy instruments supporting the on-going transition from end-of-pipe waste treatment to resource management has been recognized in European policy. Instruments need to be carefully assessed before implementation to promote the desired changes and avoid problem shifting. Mathematical models may assist policy makers in such assessments. This paper presents a set of soft-linked models for assessing the economic and environmental impacts of policy instruments for both the prevention and management of waste and discusses its strengths and limitations. Consisting of (1) a macro-economic model, (2) a systems engineering model for waste management and (3) a life cycle assessment model for waste management, the set is primarily suited to assessing market-based instruments and environmental regulations. Considerable resources were needed for developing and using the set, and there are clear limits as to what can be addressed. However, if only one of the models had been used, neither the range of instruments nor the scope of impacts would have been possible to cover. Furthermore, soft-linked models allow many disciplines to contribute within one harmonized framework. Such integrated assessments may become increasingly useful for continuing the implementation of policy for sustainable governance of society’s material resources.
Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Ola Eriksson; Anna Björklund; Göran Östblom; Tomas Ekvall; Göran Finnveden; Yevgeniya Arushanyan; Jan-Olov Sundqvist. Integrated Economic and Environmental Assessment of Waste Policy Instruments. Sustainability 2016, 8, 411 .
AMA StyleMaria Ljunggren Söderman, Ola Eriksson, Anna Björklund, Göran Östblom, Tomas Ekvall, Göran Finnveden, Yevgeniya Arushanyan, Jan-Olov Sundqvist. Integrated Economic and Environmental Assessment of Waste Policy Instruments. Sustainability. 2016; 8 (5):411.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Ljunggren Söderman; Ola Eriksson; Anna Björklund; Göran Östblom; Tomas Ekvall; Göran Finnveden; Yevgeniya Arushanyan; Jan-Olov Sundqvist. 2016. "Integrated Economic and Environmental Assessment of Waste Policy Instruments." Sustainability 8, no. 5: 411.
Anders Nordelöf; Maarten Messagie; Anne-Marie Tillman; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Joeri Van Mierlo. Erratum to: Environmental impacts of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles—what can we learn from life cycle assessment? The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 2015, 21, 134 -135.
AMA StyleAnders Nordelöf, Maarten Messagie, Anne-Marie Tillman, Maria Ljunggren Söderman, Joeri Van Mierlo. Erratum to: Environmental impacts of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles—what can we learn from life cycle assessment? The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 2015; 21 (1):134-135.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnders Nordelöf; Maarten Messagie; Anne-Marie Tillman; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Joeri Van Mierlo. 2015. "Erratum to: Environmental impacts of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles—what can we learn from life cycle assessment?" The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 21, no. 1: 134-135.
This article presents the new systems engineering optimization model, OptiWaste, which incorporates a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology and captures important characteristics of waste management systems. As part of the optimization, the model identifies the most attractive waste management options. The model renders it possible to apply different optimization objectives such as minimizing costs or greenhouse gas emissions or to prioritize several objectives given different weights. A simple illustrative case is analysed, covering alternative treatments of one tonne of residual household waste: incineration of the full amount or sorting out organic waste for biogas production for either combined heat and power generation or as fuel in vehicles. The case study illustrates that the optimal solution depends on the objective and assumptions regarding the background system--illustrated with different assumptions regarding displaced electricity production. The article shows that it is feasible to combine LCA methodology with optimization. Furthermore, it highlights the need for including the integrated waste and energy system into the model.
Marie Münster; H. Ravn; K. Hedegaard; N. Juul; Maria Ljunggren Söderman. Economic and environmental optimization of waste treatment. Waste Management 2015, 38, 486 -495.
AMA StyleMarie Münster, H. Ravn, K. Hedegaard, N. Juul, Maria Ljunggren Söderman. Economic and environmental optimization of waste treatment. Waste Management. 2015; 38 ():486-495.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarie Münster; H. Ravn; K. Hedegaard; N. Juul; Maria Ljunggren Söderman. 2015. "Economic and environmental optimization of waste treatment." Waste Management 38, no. : 486-495.
The purpose of this review article is to investigate the usefulness of different types of life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of electrified vehicles to provide robust and relevant stakeholder information. It presents synthesized conclusions based on 79 papers. Another objective is to search for explanations to divergence and “complexity” of results found by other overviewing papers in the research field, and to compile methodological learnings. The hypothesis was that such divergence could be explained by differences in goal and scope definitions of the reviewed LCA studies. The review has set special attention to the goal and scope formulation of all included studies. First, completeness and clarity have been assessed in view of the ISO standard’s (ISO 2006a, b) recommendation for goal definition. Secondly, studies have been categorized based on technical and methodological scope, and searched for coherent conclusions. Comprehensive goal formulation according to the ISO standard (ISO 2006a, b) is absent in most reviewed studies. Few give any account of the time scope, indicating the temporal validity of results and conclusions. Furthermore, most studies focus on today’s electric vehicle technology, which is under strong development. Consequently, there is a lack of future time perspective, e.g., to advances in material processing, manufacturing of parts, and changes in electricity production. Nevertheless, robust assessment conclusions may still be identified. Most obvious is that electricity production is the main cause of environmental impact for externally chargeable vehicles. If, and only if, the charging electricity has very low emissions of fossil carbon, electric vehicles can reach their full potential in mitigating global warming. Consequently, it is surprising that almost no studies make this stipulation a main conclusion and try to convey it as a clear message to relevant stakeholders. Also, obtaining resources can be observed as a key area for future research. In mining, leakage of toxic substances from mine tailings has been highlighted. Efficient recycling, which is often assumed in LCA studies of electrified vehicles, may reduce demand for virgin resources and production energy. However, its realization remains a future challenge. LCA studies with clearly stated purposes and time scope are key to stakeholder lessons and guidance. It is also necessary for quality assurance. LCA practitioners studying hybrid and electric vehicles are strongly recommended to provide comprehensive and clear goal and scope formulation in line with the ISO standard (ISO 2006a, b).
Anders Nordelöf; Maarten Messagie; Anne-Marie Tillman; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Joeri Van Mierlo. Environmental impacts of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles—what can we learn from life cycle assessment? The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 2014, 19, 1866 -1890.
AMA StyleAnders Nordelöf, Maarten Messagie, Anne-Marie Tillman, Maria Ljunggren Söderman, Joeri Van Mierlo. Environmental impacts of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles—what can we learn from life cycle assessment? The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 2014; 19 (11):1866-1890.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnders Nordelöf; Maarten Messagie; Anne-Marie Tillman; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Joeri Van Mierlo. 2014. "Environmental impacts of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles—what can we learn from life cycle assessment?" The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 19, no. 11: 1866-1890.
Strategic and operational decisions in waste management, in particular with respect to investments in new treatment facilities, are needed due to a number of factors, including continuously increasing amounts of waste, political demands for efficient utilization of waste resources, and the decommissioning of existing waste treatment facilities. Optimization models can assist in ensuring that these investment strategies are economically feasible. Various economic optimization models for waste treatment have been developed which focus on different parameters. Models focusing on transport are one example, but models focusing on energy production have also been developed, as well as models which take into account a plant's economies of scale, environmental impact, material recovery and social costs. Finally, models combining different criteria for the selection of waste treatment methods in multi-criteria analysis have been developed. A thorough updated review of the existing models is presented, and the main challenges and crucial parameters that need to be taken into account when assessing the economic performance of waste treatment alternatives are identified. The review article will assist both policy-makers and model-developers involved in assessing the economic performance of waste treatment alternatives.
Nina Juul; Marie Münster; H. Ravn; Maria Ljunggren Söderman. Challenges when performing economic optimization of waste treatment: A review. Waste Management 2013, 33, 1918 -1925.
AMA StyleNina Juul, Marie Münster, H. Ravn, Maria Ljunggren Söderman. Challenges when performing economic optimization of waste treatment: A review. Waste Management. 2013; 33 (9):1918-1925.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNina Juul; Marie Münster; H. Ravn; Maria Ljunggren Söderman. 2013. "Challenges when performing economic optimization of waste treatment: A review." Waste Management 33, no. 9: 1918-1925.
The aim of this paper is to suggest and discuss policy instruments that could lead towards a more sustainable waste management. The paper is based on evaluations from a large scale multi-disciplinary Swedish research program. The evaluations focus on environmental and economic impacts as well as social acceptance. The focus is on the Swedish waste management system but the results should be relevant also for other countries. Through the assessments and lessons learned during the research program we conclude that several policy instruments can be effective and possible to implement. Particularly, we put forward the following policy instruments: “Information”; “Compulsory recycling of recyclable materials”; “Weight-based waste fee in combination with information and developed recycling systems”; “Mandatory labeling of products containing hazardous chemicals”, “Advertisements on request only and other waste minimization measures”; and “Differentiated VAT and subsidies for some services”. Compulsory recycling of recyclable materials is the policy instrument that has the largest potential for decreasing the environmental impacts with the configurations studied here. The effects of the other policy instruments studied may be more limited and they typically need to be implemented in combination in order to have more significant impacts. Furthermore, policy makers need to take into account market and international aspects when implementing new instruments. In the more long term perspective, the above set of policy instruments may also need to be complemented with more transformational policy instruments that can significantly decrease the generation of waste.
Göran Finnveden; Tomas Ekvall; Yevgeniya Arushanyan; Mattias Bisaillon; Greger Henriksson; Ulrika Gunnarsson Östling; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Jenny Sahlin; Åsa Stenmarck; Johan Sundberg; Jan-Olov Sundqvist; Åsa Svenfelt; Patrik Söderholm; Anna Björklund; Ola Eriksson; Tomas Forsfält; Mona Guath. Policy Instruments towards a Sustainable Waste Management. Sustainability 2013, 5, 841 -881.
AMA StyleGöran Finnveden, Tomas Ekvall, Yevgeniya Arushanyan, Mattias Bisaillon, Greger Henriksson, Ulrika Gunnarsson Östling, Maria Ljunggren Söderman, Jenny Sahlin, Åsa Stenmarck, Johan Sundberg, Jan-Olov Sundqvist, Åsa Svenfelt, Patrik Söderholm, Anna Björklund, Ola Eriksson, Tomas Forsfält, Mona Guath. Policy Instruments towards a Sustainable Waste Management. Sustainability. 2013; 5 (3):841-881.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGöran Finnveden; Tomas Ekvall; Yevgeniya Arushanyan; Mattias Bisaillon; Greger Henriksson; Ulrika Gunnarsson Östling; Maria Ljunggren Söderman; Jenny Sahlin; Åsa Stenmarck; Johan Sundberg; Jan-Olov Sundqvist; Åsa Svenfelt; Patrik Söderholm; Anna Björklund; Ola Eriksson; Tomas Forsfält; Mona Guath. 2013. "Policy Instruments towards a Sustainable Waste Management." Sustainability 5, no. 3: 841-881.
Activities within waste management systems, such as energy and material recovery, can lead to indirect environmental impacts that occur outside of waste management systems. In this paper, the effect of including indirect greenhouse-gas emissions on the choice of waste management solutions on a national level is explored. The global warming potentials (GWPs) of future waste management solutions for Sweden are compared. These include direct and indirect GWPs resulting from recovering power, heat, biogas, materials and nutrients. Furthermore, two of the assumptions that are presumed to be crucial for determining the indirect GWPs are examined in sensitivity analyses. It was found that indirect GWPs of waste management could be large when comparing a range of waste management solutions. Including indirect GWPs may even change the ranking of the solutions. However, the estimates of the indirect GWPs are sensitive to the assumptions made. Including them involves large uncertainties. Despite this, some general conclusions regarding the preferability of the respective solutions can be drawn. Including indirect environmental impacts is important when providing information to support strategic planning that involves choosing among waste management solutions. Ultimately, it is a question of improving the ability of waste management planners to design environmentally sustainable and robust waste management systems. Increased knowledge of the indirect environmental impacts of waste management can contribute to providing such an improvement.
Maria Ljunggren Söderman. Including indirect environmental impacts in waste management planning. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2003, 38, 213 -241.
AMA StyleMaria Ljunggren Söderman. Including indirect environmental impacts in waste management planning. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2003; 38 (3):213-241.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Ljunggren Söderman. 2003. "Including indirect environmental impacts in waste management planning." Resources, Conservation and Recycling 38, no. 3: 213-241.
Maria Ljunggren Söderman. Recovering energy from waste in Sweden—a systems engineering study. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2003, 38, 89 -121.
AMA StyleMaria Ljunggren Söderman. Recovering energy from waste in Sweden—a systems engineering study. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2003; 38 (2):89-121.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Ljunggren Söderman. 2003. "Recovering energy from waste in Sweden—a systems engineering study." Resources, Conservation and Recycling 38, no. 2: 89-121.