Participatory approach, acceptability and transparency of waste management LCAs: Case studies of Torino and Cuneo

The paper summarises the main results obtained from two extensive applications of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to the integrated municipal solid waste management systems of Torino and Cuneo Districts in northern Italy. Scenarios with substantial differences in terms of amount of waste, percentage of separate collection and options for the disposal of residual waste are used to discuss the credibility and acceptability of the LCA results, which are adversely affected by the large influence of methodological assumptions and the local socio-economic constraints. The use of site-specific data on full scale waste treatment facilities and the adoption of a participatory approach for the definition of the most sensible LCA assumptions are used to assist local public administrators and stakeholders showing them that LCA can be operational to waste management at local scale.

► Life Cycle Assessment is still not fully operational in waste management at local scale.
► Credibility of WM LCAs is negatively affected by assumptions and lack of transparency.
► Local technical-social-economic constraints are often not reflected by WM LCAs.
► A participatory approach can increase acceptability and credibility of WM LCAs.
► Results of a WM LCA can hardly ever be generalised, thus transparency is essential.