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Exploring the low‐carbon development model for a hazardous waste treatment park from a life cycle assessment perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Chenqi Gao
  • Yating Niu
  • Xinran Du
  • Runze Zhu
  • Rongxing Bian
  • Ya'nan Wang
  • Yingjie Sun
  • Weihua Li
  • Qingjian Zhang
  • Huilai Chen

Abstract

China is actively committed to mitigating carbon emissions through its “Dual Carbon” and “Zero‐Waste Cities” strategies. Hazardous waste (HW) treatment, a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, plays a crucial role in achieving carbon reduction targets. This study systematically assessed the carbon emissions and low‐carbon pathways of a representative multi‐HW treatment park in Qingdao using life cycle assessment and life cycle cost methodologies. In 2020, the total net GHG emissions of the HW park were 49,669.3 t CO2‐eq, with an average emission intensity of 1181.1 kg CO2‐eq per tonne of HW. Among the various treatment systems, medical waste (MW) incineration exhibited the highest GHG emission intensity (1377.6 kg CO2‐eq/t MW), followed by industrial hazardous waste (IHW) incineration (1076.4 kg CO2‐eq/t IHW), fly ash/slag treatment (9.7 kg CO2‐eq/t HW), and physicochemical treatment (8.5 kg CO2‐eq/t HW). Three integrated low‐carbon pathways demonstrated that utilizing waste heat for heating exhibited the highest carbon mitigation potential, achieving up to −403.6 kg CO2‐eq/t IHW, followed by technological improvement and resource recycling. The combined low‐carbon scenario could achieve a 49.5% reduction in total carbon emissions compared to the baseline scenario. Furthermore, economic performance improved, with treatment benefits increasing from 3431.3 RMB/t IHW to 3948.5 RMB/t IHW due to enhanced energy efficiency and resource recovery. This study provides a framework for assessing multi‐HW parks’ carbon footprints and offers strategic insights for low‐carbon, resource‐efficient waste management. The findings also support sustainable multi‐HW management and contribute to climate and decarbonization efforts.

Suggested Citation

  • Chenqi Gao & Yating Niu & Xinran Du & Runze Zhu & Rongxing Bian & Ya'nan Wang & Yingjie Sun & Weihua Li & Qingjian Zhang & Huilai Chen, 2025. "Exploring the low‐carbon development model for a hazardous waste treatment park from a life cycle assessment perspective," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 29(6), pages 2068-2081, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:29:y:2025:i:6:p:2068-2081
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.70095
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