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While it may be impossible to accurately predict what the world will look like in the future, we can be certain that it will be different from the world of today. By extension, we know that using today's data in life cycle assessment (LCA) studies claiming to represent future scenarios is problematic. For the future impact of products to be estimated in a consistent and meaningful manner in LCA, the background system, most commonly the ecoinvent database, needs to be projected into the future alongside the foreground system modeled in a given study. Futura is a new piece of open‐source software which allows LCA practitioners to create and share novel background databases representing arbitrary scenarios. It allows users to import a base database and then start making targeted changes. These changes take three main forms—adding new technologies, regionalizing new or existing technologies, and altering market compositions. All changes made are automatically added to a "recipe." This recipe file can be shared publicly. This recipe can be imported by other users and used to exactly recreate the modified database. The additive and transparent nature of this system means that initially simple scenarios can be built upon by others to progress toward more comprehensive scenarios in a stepwise manner. The inability to build on the work of others is a serious barrier to the progress of the LCA field. Futura goes some way to reduce this barrier in the field of prospective LCA.
P. James Joyce; Anna Björklund. Futura: A new tool for transparent and shareable scenario analysis in prospective life cycle assessment. Journal of Industrial Ecology 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleP. James Joyce, Anna Björklund. Futura: A new tool for transparent and shareable scenario analysis in prospective life cycle assessment. Journal of Industrial Ecology. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleP. James Joyce; Anna Björklund. 2021. "Futura: A new tool for transparent and shareable scenario analysis in prospective life cycle assessment." Journal of Industrial Ecology , no. : 1.
To address increasing environmental sustainability concerns among consumers, many companies have developed approaches to provide functions, rather than products through product-service systems (PSS). This study evaluates a use-oriented tool rental service from Husqvarna, called ‘Tools for you,’ with the aim to identify critical processes to improve the sustainability of the offering. The environmental implications of the system are assessed using life cycle assessment for the annual service of one electric chainsaw and compared with a conventional sales alternative. The results suggest that rental service is influenced extensively by the location of the rental depot. Furthermore, while the impacts of the product and accessories, infrastructure, waste management, and use are reduced compared to the sales alternative, their contribution is only minor compared to environmental impacts from transportation. The results are also sensitive to the methodological choices, where the lifetime of the products, data choices, transportation assumptions, maintenance intervals, and other user-related variables for the use of the products have a significant influence on the results. The conclusions confirm and extend previous assertions on the challenges of applying LCA to PSS and add to the emerging literature on sustainable business models through empirical evidence from a case study. The findings also point to the holistic insights required to optimize the potential environmental sustainability of the services for Husqvarna and other retailers interested in adopting use-oriented business models. Future research could focus on the geographical differences of the rental lockers worldwide, models for optimizing their location, in addition to further input on user behavior, and the role of refurbishment and remanufacturing for more robust analyses of the sustainability of PSS offerings.
Michael Martin; Mirjami Heiska; Anna Björklund. Environmental assessment of a product-service system for renting electric-powered tools. Journal of Cleaner Production 2020, 281, 125245 .
AMA StyleMichael Martin, Mirjami Heiska, Anna Björklund. Environmental assessment of a product-service system for renting electric-powered tools. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2020; 281 ():125245.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichael Martin; Mirjami Heiska; Anna Björklund. 2020. "Environmental assessment of a product-service system for renting electric-powered tools." Journal of Cleaner Production 281, no. : 125245.
Bauxite residue, the main waste product of alumina production, is a potentially valuable secondary resource. The MSCA-ETN REDMUD project aims to develop environmentally friendly technologies to realize this value, by extracting valuable metals (aluminium, iron, titanium, scandium, rare-earth elements) or utilizing it in construction applications. Simply utilizing a waste product as an input is not, however, sufficient to claim that a process is environmentally friendly; the processes developed must be demonstrably better for the environment, from a life cycle perspective, than business as usual. The earlier in the research and development process that environmental information can be taken into account, the more impact it can have on decision-making. In this study we demonstrate that Life Cycle Thinking approaches can provide actionable environmental information at an early stage in the research process, and that in doing so it can help steer early stage technology development towards overall improved industry environmental performance. Knowledge of the potential environmental benefit from displacing different materials can help identify primary or additional targets, for example the use of metal extraction residues for construction materials. A high-level ‘red flags’ assessment of the relative environmental impact of inputs to valorization processes and the products they displace can be used to identify problematic inputs and processes in the absence of quantitative details. Finally, once preliminary quantitative data are available for a process, streamlined Life Cycle Assessment can be used to calculate the environmental balance of a process, and identify specific hotspots of environmental impact.
P. James Joyce; Anna Björklund. Using Life Cycle Thinking to Assess the Sustainability Benefits of Complex Valorization Pathways for Bauxite Residue. Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy 2019, 5, 69 -84.
AMA StyleP. James Joyce, Anna Björklund. Using Life Cycle Thinking to Assess the Sustainability Benefits of Complex Valorization Pathways for Bauxite Residue. Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy. 2019; 5 (1):69-84.
Chicago/Turabian StyleP. James Joyce; Anna Björklund. 2019. "Using Life Cycle Thinking to Assess the Sustainability Benefits of Complex Valorization Pathways for Bauxite Residue." Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy 5, no. 1: 69-84.
An innovative recycling process for thermoset polymer composites developed by Connora Technologies (Hayward, CA, USA) was studied. The process efficacy has already been tested, and it is currently working at the plant level. The main aspect investigated in the present paper was the environmental impact by means of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method. Because of the need to recycle and recover materials at their end of life, the Connora process creates a great innovation in the market of epoxy composites, as they are notoriously not recyclable. Connora Technologies developed a relatively gentle chemical recycling process that induces the conversion of thermosets into thermoplastics. The LCA demonstrated that low environmental burdens are associated with the process itself and, furthermore, impacts are avoided due to the recovery of the epoxy-composite constituents (fibres and matrix). A carbon fibre (CF) epoxy-composite panel was produced through Vacuum Resin Transfer Moulding (VRTM) and afterwards treated using the Connora recycling process. The LCA results of both the production and the recycling phases are reported.
Angela D. La Rosa; Ignazio Blanco; Diosdado R. Banatao; Stefan J. Pastine; Anna Björklund; Gianluca Cicala. Innovative Chemical Process for Recycling Thermosets Cured with Recyclamines® by Converting Bio-Epoxy Composites in Reusable Thermoplastic—An LCA Study. Materials 2018, 11, 353 .
AMA StyleAngela D. La Rosa, Ignazio Blanco, Diosdado R. Banatao, Stefan J. Pastine, Anna Björklund, Gianluca Cicala. Innovative Chemical Process for Recycling Thermosets Cured with Recyclamines® by Converting Bio-Epoxy Composites in Reusable Thermoplastic—An LCA Study. Materials. 2018; 11 (3):353.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAngela D. La Rosa; Ignazio Blanco; Diosdado R. Banatao; Stefan J. Pastine; Anna Björklund; Gianluca Cicala. 2018. "Innovative Chemical Process for Recycling Thermosets Cured with Recyclamines® by Converting Bio-Epoxy Composites in Reusable Thermoplastic—An LCA Study." Materials 11, no. 3: 353.
Andrei Goronovski; James Joyce; Anna Björklund; Göran Finnveden; Alan H. Tkaczyk. Impact assessment of enhanced exposure from Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) within LCA. Journal of Cleaner Production 2018, 172, 2824 -2839.
AMA StyleAndrei Goronovski, James Joyce, Anna Björklund, Göran Finnveden, Alan H. Tkaczyk. Impact assessment of enhanced exposure from Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) within LCA. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2018; 172 ():2824-2839.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndrei Goronovski; James Joyce; Anna Björklund; Göran Finnveden; Alan H. Tkaczyk. 2018. "Impact assessment of enhanced exposure from Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) within LCA." Journal of Cleaner Production 172, no. : 2824-2839.
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.
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.
This chapter contains sections titled: Generic System Description Important Methodological Aspects LCA Models of Waste Management LCA of Waste Management in Practice: Three Cases Conclusions and Future Outlook References
Anna Björklund; Goran Finnveden; Liselott Roth. Application of LCA in Waste Management. Solid Waste Technology & Management 2010, 137 -160.
AMA StyleAnna Björklund, Goran Finnveden, Liselott Roth. Application of LCA in Waste Management. Solid Waste Technology & Management. 2010; ():137-160.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnna Björklund; Goran Finnveden; Liselott Roth. 2010. "Application of LCA in Waste Management." Solid Waste Technology & Management , no. : 137-160.
Treatment of solid waste continues to be on the political agenda. Waste disposal issues are often viewed from an environmental perspective, but economic and social aspects also need to be considered when deciding on waste strategies and policy instruments. The aim of this paper is to suggest flexible and robust strategies for waste management in Sweden, and to discuss different policy instruments. Emphasis is on environmental aspects, but social and economic aspects are also considered. The results show that most waste treatment methods have a role to play in a robust and flexible integrated waste management system, and that the waste hierarchy is valid as a rule of thumb from an environmental perspective. A review of social aspects shows that there is a general willingness among people to source separate wastes. A package of policy instruments can include landfill tax, an incineration tax which is differentiated with respect to the content of fossil fuels and a weight based incineration tax, as well as support to the use of biogas and recycled materials.
Göran Finnveden; Anna Björklund; Marcus Carlsson Reich; Ola Eriksson; Adrienne Sörbom. Flexible and robust strategies for waste management in Sweden. Waste Management 2007, 27, S1 -S8.
AMA StyleGöran Finnveden, Anna Björklund, Marcus Carlsson Reich, Ola Eriksson, Adrienne Sörbom. Flexible and robust strategies for waste management in Sweden. Waste Management. 2007; 27 (8):S1-S8.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGöran Finnveden; Anna Björklund; Marcus Carlsson Reich; Ola Eriksson; Adrienne Sörbom. 2007. "Flexible and robust strategies for waste management in Sweden." Waste Management 27, no. 8: S1-S8.
In assessments of the environmental impacts of waste management, life-cycle assessment (LCA) helps expanding the perspective beyond the waste management system. This is important, since the indirect environmental impacts caused by surrounding systems, such as energy and material production, often override the direct impacts of the waste management system itself. However, the applicability of LCA for waste management planning and policy-making is restricted by certain limitations, some of which are characteristics inherent to LCA methodology as such, and some of which are relevant specifically in the context of waste management. Several of them are relevant also for other types of systems analysis. We have identified and discussed such characteristics with regard to how they may restrict the applicability of LCA in the context of waste management. Efforts to improve LCA with regard to these aspects are also described. We also identify what other tools are available for investigating issues that cannot be adequately dealt with by traditional LCA models, and discuss whether LCA methodology should be expanded rather than complemented by other tools to increase its scope and applicability.
Tomas Ekvall; Getachew Assefa; Anna Björklund; Ola Eriksson; Göran Finnveden. What life-cycle assessment does and does not do in assessments of waste management. Waste Management 2007, 27, 989 -996.
AMA StyleTomas Ekvall, Getachew Assefa, Anna Björklund, Ola Eriksson, Göran Finnveden. What life-cycle assessment does and does not do in assessments of waste management. Waste Management. 2007; 27 (8):989-996.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTomas Ekvall; Getachew Assefa; Anna Björklund; Ola Eriksson; Göran Finnveden. 2007. "What life-cycle assessment does and does not do in assessments of waste management." Waste Management 27, no. 8: 989-996.
The aim of this consequential life cycle assessment (LCA) is to compare district heating based on waste incineration with combustion of biomass or natural gas. The study comprises two options for energy recovery (combined heat and power (CHP) or heat only), two alternatives for external, marginal electricity generation (fossil lean or intense), and two alternatives for the alternative waste management (landfill disposal or material recovery). A secondary objective was to test a combination of dynamic energy system modelling and LCA by combining the concept of complex marginal electricity production in a static, environmental systems analysis. Furthermore, we wanted to increase the methodological knowledge about how waste can be environmentally compared to other fuels in district-heat production. The results indicate that combustion of biofuel in a CHP is environmentally favourable and robust with respect to the avoided type of electricity and waste management. Waste incineration is often (but not always) the preferable choice when incineration substitutes landfill disposal of waste. It is however, never the best choice (and often the worst) when incineration substitutes recycling. A natural gas fired CHP is an alternative of interest if marginal electricity has a high fossil content. However, if the marginal electricity is mainly based on non-fossil sources, natural gas is in general worse than biofuels.
Ola Eriksson; Göran Finnveden; Tomas Ekvall; Anna Björklund. Life cycle assessment of fuels for district heating: A comparison of waste incineration, biomass- and natural gas combustion. Energy Policy 2007, 35, 1346 -1362.
AMA StyleOla Eriksson, Göran Finnveden, Tomas Ekvall, Anna Björklund. Life cycle assessment of fuels for district heating: A comparison of waste incineration, biomass- and natural gas combustion. Energy Policy. 2007; 35 (2):1346-1362.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOla Eriksson; Göran Finnveden; Tomas Ekvall; Anna Björklund. 2007. "Life cycle assessment of fuels for district heating: A comparison of waste incineration, biomass- and natural gas combustion." Energy Policy 35, no. 2: 1346-1362.
Most Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) research has been preoccupied with SEA as a procedure and there are relatively few developments and tests of analytical methodologies. This paper applies and tests an analytical framework for an energy sector SEA. In a case study on a policy proposal for waste-to-energy taxation in Sweden, it studies changes in the energy system as a result of implementing the suggested tax by testing three analytical pathways: an LCA pathway, a site-dependent pathway, and a qualitative pathway. In addition, several valuation methods are applied. The assessment indicates that there are some overall environmental benefits to introducing a tax, but that benefits are modest compared to the potential. The methods are discussed in relation to characteristics for effective policy learning and knowledge uptake. The application shows that in many ways they complement each other rather than substitute for each other. The qualitative pathway is useful for raising awareness and getting a comprehensive view of environmental issues, but has limited potential for decision support. The precision increased as we went to LCA and to site-dependent analysis, and a hierarchy emerged in which the qualitative pathway filled rudimentary functions whereas the site-dependent analysis gave more advanced decision support. All methods had limited potential in supporting a choice between alternatives unless data was aggregated through a valuation exercise.
Måns Nilsson; Anna Björklund; Göran Finnveden; Jessica Johansson. Testing a SEA methodology for the energy sector: a waste incineration tax proposal. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 2005, 25, 1 -32.
AMA StyleMåns Nilsson, Anna Björklund, Göran Finnveden, Jessica Johansson. Testing a SEA methodology for the energy sector: a waste incineration tax proposal. Environmental Impact Assessment Review. 2005; 25 (1):1-32.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMåns Nilsson; Anna Björklund; Göran Finnveden; Jessica Johansson. 2005. "Testing a SEA methodology for the energy sector: a waste incineration tax proposal." Environmental Impact Assessment Review 25, no. 1: 1-32.