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Special Issues
Waste Management and Life Cycle Assessment: Challenges and Opportunities
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Waste Management and Life Cycle Assessment: Challenges and Opportunities

A special issue of Environments (ISSN 2076-3298). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Monitoring and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 7479

Editors

Prof. Dr. Lorena De Medina-Salas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Circuito Gonzalo Aguirre Beltrán, Zona Universitaria, Xalapa, Veracruz 91040, Mexico
Interests: municipal solid waste management; circular economy; life cycle assessment
Prof. Dr. Eduardo Castillo-González

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Circuito Gonzalo Aguirre Beltrán, Zona Universitaria, Xalapa, Veracruz 91040, Mexico
Interests: management; solid waste; composting
Dr. Mario Rafael Giraldi-Diaz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Circuito Gonzalo Aguirre Beltrán, Zona Universitaria, Xalapa, Veracruz 91040, Mexico
Interests: industrial ecology; parametric footprints; life cycle assessment
Prof. Dr. Manuel Soto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Universidade da Coruña, A Coruna, Spain
Interests: circular economy; education for sustainability; separate collection at source; composting; anaerobic digestion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Gerardo Bernache Perez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social (CIESAS), Unidad Regional Occidente, Guadalajara 44190, Jalisco, Mexico
Interests: urban solid waste; human rights and degradation; integrated waste management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Approximately 2.01 billion metric tons of municipal solid waste is generated annually, of which at least 33% is not properly managed. It is anticipated that 3.40 billion metric tons of global waste will be generated by 2050 (World Bank, 2025). Consequently, waste prevention must be prioritized, followed by efficient collection, reuse, recycling, and the proper treatment of residual fractions to mitigate adverse environmental impacts (ISWA, 2025). Within this context, life cycle assessment (LCA) is a methodological framework used to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product or process, and its application in waste management systems is useful for identifying improvement opportunities across the entire value chain, from raw material extraction to final disposal, encompassing both upstream (pre-production) and downstream (post-consumption) stages. It plays an important role in supporting evidence-based decision-making with regard to selecting sustainable waste management strategies, such as composting, anaerobic digestion, landfilling, energy recovery, and thermal waste treatments.

We are seeking submissions of reviews, original case studies, or research articles focused on the following topics:

  • Challenges of traditional waste LCA;
  • Waste management system modelling;
  • Waste technologies;
  • Waste in the context of LCA;
  • Environmental impact waste strategy through LCA;
  • Waste treatment (physical, chemical, and biological) and energy recovery;
  • Circular economy using LCA;
  • Zero waste and LCA;
  • Life cycle assessment of electronic waste;
  • Recycling and reuse using LCA.

References

World Bank. What a Waste 2.0. A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050. WB. 2025. Available online: https://datatopics.worldbank.org/what-a-waste/trends_in_solid_waste_management.html

International Solid Waste Association. To Promote and Develop Sustainable and Professional Waste Management Worldwide and the Transition to a Circular Economy. ISWA. 2025. Available online: https://www.iswa.org

Prof. Dr. Lorena De Medina-Salas
Prof. Dr. Eduardo Castillo-González
Dr. Mario Rafael Giraldi-Diaz
Prof. Dr. Manuel Soto
Prof. Dr. Gerardo Bernache Perez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Environments is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • waste management
  • circular economy
  • energy recovery
  • LCA

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 1789 KB  
Article
Life Cycle Analysis of Two Menus: Animal Protein and Plant Protein
by Griselda González-Cardoso, Brenda Anita-Lanche, Sylvie Jeanne Turpin-Marion and Alethia Vázquez-Morillas
Environments 2026, 13(6), 321; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13060321 - 8 Jun 2026
Viewed by 413
Abstract
Food production has significant environmental impacts, particularly those associated with animal-based products. One often overlooked aspect is the contribution of waste generated during food preparation and handling. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the environmental performance of two menus, [...] Read more.
Food production has significant environmental impacts, particularly those associated with animal-based products. One often overlooked aspect is the contribution of waste generated during food preparation and handling. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the environmental performance of two menus, one animal-based protein and the other on predominantly plant-based protein. The assessment included ingredient production, transportation, food preparation, and waste management. The functional unit was defined as “serving one meal to a student, consisting of a three-course menu”. The dataset corresponding to the inputs and outputs of each system was obtained from the Ecoinvent database (version 3.10), implemented in SimaPro v10.3.0.4. Impact categories were assessed using the ReCiPe Midpoint method. A total of 18 impact categories were evaluated, of which four were analyzed in greater detail. The results show that, for the animal-based menu, ecotoxicity is concentrated in a single dominant process—intensive pig production—whereas, for the plant-based menu, it is distributed across multiple secondary processes, primarily municipal solid waste management and industrial processing. Similar results were observed for global warming. Under the evaluated conditions, the assessment revealed that the plant-based menu had a higher environmental impact than the animal-based menu. Because this study included waste management and packaging, the environmental impact of the plant-based menu increased significantly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management and Life Cycle Assessment: Challenges and Opportunities)
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25 pages, 2024 KB  
Article
Environmental Performance of Solid Waste Disposal Sites with Different Levels of Control: A Life Cycle Assessment in Mexico
by Eloy Mondragón-Zarza, María del Consuelo Hernández-Berriel, Fredy Cuellar-Robles, Elena Regla Rosa Domínguez, Sylvie Jeanne Turpin-Marion and Nicolás Flores-Álamo
Environments 2026, 13(5), 247; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13050247 - 27 Apr 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2479
Abstract
In developing countries, final disposal sites exhibit different levels of operational control, which influence their environmental performance. This study evaluated the environmental performance of four types of final disposal sites in Mexico: sanitary landfill with energy recovery (SLF+ER) and sanitary landfill with gas [...] Read more.
In developing countries, final disposal sites exhibit different levels of operational control, which influence their environmental performance. This study evaluated the environmental performance of four types of final disposal sites in Mexico: sanitary landfill with energy recovery (SLF+ER) and sanitary landfill with gas flaring (SLFGF), controlled site (CS), and open dump (OD), using life cycle assessment for 1 t of municipal solid waste. Biogas generation was estimated using the Mexican Biogas Model 2.0, and Ecoinvent processes were adapted to local conditions; six impact categories were assessed, and a sensitivity analysis was conducted. The SLF+ER scenario showed the lowest impact in global warming, followed by SLFGF and CS, while OD recorded the highest impact, mainly associated with biogas management. In contrast, scenarios with gas capture and treatment showed higher contributions in categories related to combustion processes. Normalized results indicated that freshwater eutrophication and human carcinogenic toxicity are the dominant impact categories. The sensitivity analysis confirmed the influence of the organic fraction on CH4 generation without altering the relative ranking among scenarios. Overall, increasing the level of environmental control reduces impacts from fugitive emissions but introduces trade-offs across other impact categories, highlighting the need for comprehensive assessments to support decision-making. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management and Life Cycle Assessment: Challenges and Opportunities)
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33 pages, 5735 KB  
Article
Life Cycle and Circularity: The Assessment of Conventional and Additive Manufacturing Injection Molds
by Joana Matos, Eleonora Caneve, Antonio Silva and Paulo Pedrosa
Environments 2026, 13(3), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13030169 - 19 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1262
Abstract
The transition to a circular economy requires assessment tools that capture not only the environmental and economic performance of products but also their circular design, functionality, and durability. While Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) are widely used, they alone [...] Read more.
The transition to a circular economy requires assessment tools that capture not only the environmental and economic performance of products but also their circular design, functionality, and durability. While Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) are widely used, they alone do not capture modularity, reparability, reuse potential, or product lifespan. This study introduces a novel, integrated framework combining LCA, LCC, and product-level circularity indicators to provide a holistic evaluation of sustainability and circularity. In this study, two types of injection molds for plastic part production are compared: a conventionally manufactured mold and an additively manufactured metal mold produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) technology. The comparison integrates Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC), and a set of micro-circularity indicators, including the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI), Recycling Desirability Index (RDI), circular design guidelines (CDG), Disassembly Effort Index (DEI), longevity indicator (LI), and Circular Economy Indicator Prototype (CEIP). Results show that the AM mold exhibits lower environmental impacts across almost all categories, while its slightly higher initial cost is largely offset by reduced indirect costs over the product lifecycle. Micro-circularity indicators reveal that the AM mold achieves higher material circularity and better circular design performance (MCI, CDG, CEIP) but shows only minor improvements in disassembly and recyclability (DEI, RDI) and lower longevity (LI) compared to the conventional mold, highlighting potential limitations for remanufacturing and end-of-life recovery. The novelty of this study lies in the integrated application of LCA, LCC, and multiple micro-circularity indicators, providing an operational framework for evaluating circular design, reparability, and durability in additive manufacturing and enabling informed, holistic decision-making for truly circular products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management and Life Cycle Assessment: Challenges and Opportunities)
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18 pages, 1537 KB  
Article
Life Cycle Assessment of an Innovative Biogas Plant: Addressing Methodological Challenges and Circular Economy Implications
by Hannah-Sophie Tscherney, Harald Weigand and Holger Rohn
Environments 2026, 13(2), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13020078 - 1 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1509
Abstract
Considering the challenges of decarbonization, the energy transition, and the necessity to increase resource efficiency in the context of the circular economy, there is a need to develop sustainable solutions for the material and energy use of biogenic waste. Biogenic waste, which remains [...] Read more.
Considering the challenges of decarbonization, the energy transition, and the necessity to increase resource efficiency in the context of the circular economy, there is a need to develop sustainable solutions for the material and energy use of biogenic waste. Biogenic waste, which remains underutilized and can be regarded as an untapped resource, offers significant potential for sustainable energy production. In this context, biogas plants are a key technology, as they convert biogenic waste into renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to closing material cycles. The standardized life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology is a tool for the systematic analysis and evaluation of environmental impacts of products, systems, or services. The objective of this study is to develop a methodological and conceptual framework for the LCA of the innovative biogas plant based on a rotating drum fermenter. The environmental aspects of biowaste utilization and the role of the biogas plant in waste reduction and energy production are discussed in the broader context of the circular economy. Due to its complexity, this paper considers LCA with focus on the definition of the goal and scope of the study in accordance with international standards. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management and Life Cycle Assessment: Challenges and Opportunities)
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19 pages, 3833 KB  
Article
Treatment of Municipal Organic Waste Leachates by Nitrification: Analysis of the Diversity and Abundance of Canonical and Comammox Microorganisms
by Roberto Carlos Moreno-Quirós, Ángel Isauro Ortíz-Ceballos and Sergio Martínez-Hernández
Environments 2025, 12(12), 479; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12120479 - 8 Dec 2025
Viewed by 778
Abstract
Leachates from municipal organic waste contain high concentrations of ammonium and organic matter, making their treatment a top priority. The present study addressed leachate treatment under nitrification and focused on the diversity and abundance of comammox bacteria and their interaction with other canonical [...] Read more.
Leachates from municipal organic waste contain high concentrations of ammonium and organic matter, making their treatment a top priority. The present study addressed leachate treatment under nitrification and focused on the diversity and abundance of comammox bacteria and their interaction with other canonical microorganisms. Batch reactors (1L) were fed with synthetic (100 mg HN4+-N/L) or leachate ammonium and operated at 150 rpm, 3 mg DO/L, pH 7, and 30 °C. Reactor performance was evaluated using metabolic response variables and the microbial community by shotgun metagenomic sequencing. The results showed ammonium and organic matter (5200 mg COD/L) consumption efficiencies above 95%. The abundance and richness of the microbial community decreased in the presence of leachates. Sequences of the genus Nitrosomonas predominated with the synthetic medium, while the genus Nitrospira was the most abundant when fed with leachates. Archaea and anammox sequences were also detected. Comammox sequences of Candidatus Nitrospira inopinata, C. N. nitrificants, C. N. kreftii, C. N. neomarina, C. N. nitrosa, and C. N. allomarina were also detected, with the first species being predominant in the presence of leachates. These findings demonstrate that comammox and canonical microorganisms coexist during ammonium removal from leachates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management and Life Cycle Assessment: Challenges and Opportunities)
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