Life cycle assessment of municipal solid waste in Loksa city: Case study of Loksa city

This research offers a thorough life cycle assessment (LCA) of municipal solid waste (MSW) management in Loksa City, Estonia. The goal is to look at the current waste management methods and find better, more environmentally friendly, and cost-effective options. The study examines the origins, composition, and volume of waste produced in Loksa City in 2019, totaling 772,191 tons, with a comprehensive classification into packaging, biodegradable, hazardous, recyclable, and mixed categories. We looked at the current ways of collecting trash and using containers, and then we broke down how to deal with recyclable, hazardous, and mixed waste. The study uses letters (like A, R, HWU, T1–T3) to figure out the total costs and possible profits from recycling, burning, and putting things in a landfill.
We looked at three options (I, II, and III) and one sub-option (IIIa). Alternative I, which includes partial recycling, sorting at a material recovery facility (MRF), and burning of leftover materials, was the best choice in terms of cost and the environment. Alternative II (direct incineration) and Alternative III (landfilling) were both more expensive and more dangerous to the environment than the other options. To make waste more sustainable in Loksa, the study suggests improving recycling processes, reducing reliance on landfills, and encouraging circular economy principles. Policy implications entail investment in MRF infrastructure and incentives for the segregation of biodegradable waste.