The Application of the Life Cycle Assessment Method in Managing the Logistics of Municipal Waste Collection

Abstract

The relevance of this topic is due to the high level of importance of sustainable waste management and the need for effective decision-making tools. The purpose of the article is to justify the possibility and expediency of using the life cycle assessment method in managing the logistics of municipal waste management. The research was conducted using general scientific methods of cognition: system analysis, synthesis, generalization, deduction, abstraction, concretization, and formalization. Given the results of the conducted research, the meaning, and essence of the evaluation method life cycle are highlighted. It was determined that the life cycle assessment method is possible and advisable to be used for analyzing the impact of waste on the environment, namely on the quality of the ecosystem, state of health of the population, and use of natural resources. It is noted that this method is an effective tool for ensuring the rational use of natural resources and effective management of waste, allowing optimizing the process of management of logistics of waste according to the criteria of time and cost. Separate attention is assigned to considering the process of adopting management solutions in the part of optimizing logistic processes in the system of managing municipal waste, which is outlined as a choice of one option from several possible ones. It is proposed that the method of life cycle assessment be applied by local authorities in Poland to substantiate management decisions regarding the choice of alternative options for processing, disposal, or dumping of municipal waste based on the criterion of minimizing the harmful impact on the environment.