Solid waste entities are increasingly interested in identifying, measuring, and evaluating the sustainability impacts of their waste management activities (e.g. landfilling, waste-to-energy, recycling). The quest for the most sustainable scenario extends beyond financial cost comparisons. A comprehensive understanding of impacts requires a triple bottom line analysis encompassing three categories: People, Planet, and Profit. The primary drivers for such studies are climate change initiatives but can vary depending on the study’s objective and drivers. 

This session guides you through the study criteria, methodologies, and key assumptions employed in recent case studies for conducting triple bottom line assessments comparing landfilling and WTE. It will also highlight the critical aspects of the assessment that require careful evaluation to yield reliable and project-specific results, and point out how approaches and results varied from the recent case studies. Results will focus on greenhouse gases since they have been the drivers of the recent studies. Gain insights and lessons learned from the recent case studies that highlight the complexities of sustainability issues in waste management and reinforce the importance of a comprehensive approach for effective decision-making. 

After attending this session, participants will be able to:  

• Evaluate sustainability impacts on waste management activities.  

• Discuss the complexities of sustainability issues in waste management. 

• Defend the importance of a comprehensive approach for effective decision-making.