Integrated life cycle assessment, life cycle costing and multi criteria decision making for food waste composting management

Abstract

The integrated models specifically designed to help decision-making in food waste (FW) composting management through the analysis of previous research studies are reviewed. The integrated models are built predominantly within three decision-supporting tools, which include life-cycle assessment (LCA), life cycle costing (LCC), and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM). Different integrated models were discussed and their strengths, limitations, and crucial problems as well as their potential integration were evaluated. Apparently, there has been no in-depth analysis of its approaches and potentialities of combining harmonically the LCA, LCC, and MCDM analysis tools in the FW composting management which taking into consideration multiple stakeholders. Thus, the combined LCA, LCC and MCDM with cluster analysis (CA) is suggested. The concepts underlying the sustainable FW composting management model can be divided into several aspects in terms of environmental friendliness, financial profitability, and social acceptance. This gives an insight and facilitates to waste management sectors to decide on a preferable FW composting management.