IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i20p9324-d1775870.html

Environmental Impact of Uncontrolled Sites in the Central Region of Mexico: A Life Cycle Assessment

Author

Listed:
  • Eloy Mondragón-Zarza

    (División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico de Toluca, Avenida Tecnológico S/N, Colonia Agrícola Bellavista, Metepec 52149, Estado de México, Mexico)

  • Isis Neftaly Martínez-Morales

    (División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico de Toluca, Avenida Tecnológico S/N, Colonia Agrícola Bellavista, Metepec 52149, Estado de México, Mexico)

  • María del Consuelo Hernández-Berriel

    (División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico de Toluca, Avenida Tecnológico S/N, Colonia Agrícola Bellavista, Metepec 52149, Estado de México, Mexico)

  • Elena Regla Rosa Domínguez

    (Facultad de Química y Farmacia, Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas, Carretera a Camajuaní, Km. 5.5, Santa Clara 54830, Villa Clara, Cuba)

  • Samantha Eugenia Cruz-Sotelo

    (Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Blvd. Benito Juárez S/N Parcela 44, Mexicali 21280, Baja California, Mexico)

  • Sara Ojeda-Benítez

    (Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Blvd. Benito Juárez y Calle de la Normal S/N Insurgentes Este, Mexicali 21280, Baja California, Mexico)

Abstract

The increase in municipal solid waste (MSW) generation and its inefficient management have caused significant environmental impacts, particularly in developing countries such as Mexico. In the central region, final disposal in uncontrolled sites (UCSs) remains a common practice despite its negative effects on the environment and public health. These impacts have been underestimated due to the scarcity of studies and the lack of technological alternatives aimed at mitigating them. In response to this problem, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) emerges as a strategic tool to quantify these effects and to guide decision-making toward more sustainable management. The objective of this study was to evaluate the environmental impacts of a UCS using LCA, considering four scenarios: a baseline (E0) representing the current system conditions and three alternative scenarios (E1, E2, and E3) designed to explore potential improvements in environmental performance and to identify a feasible option under the socioeconomic conditions of a municipality in central Mexico. The functional unit was defined as the treatment of one tonne of MSW. The system boundaries included the separation of recyclable inorganic waste (RIW), the treatment of organic waste (OW) through composting and anaerobic digestion (AD), and the final disposal of mixed waste (MW) in UCSs and sanitary landfills. The assessment was performed using SimaPro Analyst v9.6 software and the ReCiPe methodology. The E0 scenario exhibited the highest environmental burdens, whereas E2 and E3 reduced the disposal of MW from 85.92% to 52.57% and emissions by 78.9%. E3 showed the lowest overall impact by integrating mechanical separation, AD, and controlled landfill disposal. E2, which employed composting instead of AD, proved to be a viable alternative for resource-constrained contexts. The results support the closure of uncontrolled sites and encourage the transition toward integrated systems that incorporate valorization technologies, which are urgently needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Eloy Mondragón-Zarza & Isis Neftaly Martínez-Morales & María del Consuelo Hernández-Berriel & Elena Regla Rosa Domínguez & Samantha Eugenia Cruz-Sotelo & Sara Ojeda-Benítez, 2025. "Environmental Impact of Uncontrolled Sites in the Central Region of Mexico: A Life Cycle Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-32, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:20:p:9324-:d:1775870
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/20/9324/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/20/9324/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Woon, Kok Sin & Lo, Irene M.C., 2016. "An integrated life cycle costing and human health impact analysis of municipal solid waste management options in Hong Kong using modified eco-efficiency indicator," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 104-114.
    2. Zaid M. Aldhafeeri & Hatem Alhazmi, 2022. "Sustainability Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the Framework of Circular Economy Transition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-18, April.
    3. Giovanni De Feo & Carmen Ferrara & Cristina Iuliano & Alberto Grosso, 2016. "LCA of the Collection, Transportation, Treatment and Disposal of Source Separated Municipal Waste: A Southern Italy Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-13, October.
    4. Venkata Ravi Sankar Cheela & Michele John & Wahidul K. Biswas & Brajesh Dubey, 2021. "Environmental Impact Evaluation of Current Municipal Solid Waste Treatments in India Using Life Cycle Assessment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-23, May.
    5. Imran Khan & Shahariar Chowdhury & Kuaanan Techato, 2022. "Waste to Energy in Developing Countries—A Rapid Review: Opportunities, Challenges, and Policies in Selected Countries of Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia towards Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-27, March.
    6. Morero, Betzabet & Montagna, Agustín F. & Campanella, Enrique A. & Cafaro, Diego C., 2020. "Optimal process design for integrated municipal waste management with energy recovery in Argentina," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 2626-2636.
    7. Amit Kumar Jaglan & Venkata Ravi Sankar Cheela & Mansi Vinaik & Brajesh Dubey, 2022. "Environmental Impact Evaluation of University Integrated Waste Management System in India Using Life Cycle Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-18, July.
    8. Prasesh Pote Shrestha & Anish Ghimire & Mohan B. Dangi & Michael A. Urynowicz, 2023. "Development of a Municipal Solid Waste Management Life Cycle Assessment Tool for Banepa Municipality, Nepal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-15, June.
    9. Hamza Cheniti & Kaouther Kerboua & Omar Sekiou & Hani Amir Aouissi & Aissa Benselhoub & Rachida Mansouri & Ibtissem Zeriri & Karima Barbari & Jadranka Blazevska Gilev & Zihad Bouslama, 2024. "Life Cycle Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste Management within Open Dumping and Landfilling Contexts: A Strategic Analysis and Planning Responses Applicable to Algeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-21, August.
    10. Ayodele, T.R. & Ogunjuyigbe, A.S.O. & Alao, M.A., 2017. "Life cycle assessment of waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies for electricity generation using municipal solid waste in Nigeria," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(C), pages 200-218.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Arias, Ana & Feijoo, Gumersindo & Moreira, Maria Teresa & Tukker, Arnold & Cucurachi, Stefano, 2025. "Advancing waste valorization and end-of-life strategies in the bioeconomy through multi-criteria approaches and the safe and sustainable by design framework," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    2. Oluwaseun Nubi & Stephen Morse & Richard J. Murphy, 2022. "Electricity Generation from Municipal Solid Waste in Nigeria: A Prospective LCA Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-25, July.
    3. Zhuang, Rui & Wang, Xiaonan & Guo, Miao & Zhao, Yingru & El-Farra, Nael H. & Palazoglu, Ahmet, 2020. "Waste-to-hydrogen: Recycling HCl to produce H2 and Cl2," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    4. Abdulmajeed Almadhi & Abdelhakim Abdelhadi & Rakan Alyamani, 2023. "Moving from Linear to Circular Economy in Saudi Arabia: Life-Cycle Assessment on Plastic Waste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-22, July.
    5. Cudjoe, Dan & Wang, Hong & zhu, Bangzhu, 2022. "Thermochemical treatment of daily COVID-19 single-use facemask waste: Power generation potential and environmental impact analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 249(C).
    6. Jicui Cui & Ying Cui & Jiyang Li & Xiaofeng Gao & Wendong Wei & Yuan Chen & Wenchao Ma & Nanwen Zhu & Yong Geng & Youcai Zhao & Ziyang Lou, 2026. "Efficiency hierarchy and optimization of waste incineration in China to balance disposal and energy supply," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 17(1), pages 1-12, December.
    7. Giovanni Biancini & Barbara Marchetti & Luca Cioccolanti & Matteo Moglie, 2022. "Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment Analysis of an Italian Composting Facility concerning Environmental Footprint Minimization and Renewable Energy Integration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-21, November.
    8. Amit Kumar Jaglan & Venkata Ravi Sankar Cheela & Mansi Vinaik & Brajesh Dubey, 2022. "Environmental Impact Evaluation of University Integrated Waste Management System in India Using Life Cycle Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-18, July.
    9. S. K. Khairul Basar & Deepmala Pathak & Maniklal Pati, 2026. "Impact of Industrial Effluents on the Morphology of Some Agricultural Plants Growing in Kharagpur Sub-Division of West Bengal, India," Inventum Biologicum: An International Journal of Biological Research, World BIOLOGICA, vol. 6(1), pages 1-5.
    10. Asif Iqbal & Abdullah Yasar & Abdul-Sattar Nizami & Rafia Haider & Faiza Sharif & Imran Ali Sultan & Amtul Bari Tabinda & Aman Anwer Kedwaii & Muhammad Murtaza Chaudhary, 2022. "Municipal Solid Waste Collection and Haulage Modeling Design for Lahore, Pakistan: Transition toward Sustainability and Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-39, December.
    11. Magdalena Daria Vaverková & Dana Adamcová & Jan Winkler & Eugeniusz Koda & Jana Červenková & Anna Podlasek, 2019. "Influence of a Municipal Solid Waste Landfill on the Surrounding Environment: Landfill Vegetation as a Potential Risk of Allergenic Pollen," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-15, December.
    12. Hossain, Md. Sanowar & Emon, Abir Shahorior & Mhamud, Rifat & Robin, Hasan Muhommod & Mourshed, Monjur & Rahman, Md. Al Amin, 2025. "Anaerobic co-digestion of cow dung and poultry litter for sustainable biogas production: A green energy solution for Bangladesh's garment industry," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 339(C).
    13. Tahereh Malmir & Saeed Ranjbar & Ursula Eicker, 2020. "Improving Municipal Solid Waste Management Strategies of Montréal (Canada) Using Life Cycle Assessment and Optimization of Technology Options," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-15, October.
    14. Stephen Oladipo & Yanxia Sun & Abraham Amole, 2022. "Performance Evaluation of the Impact of Clustering Methods and Parameters on Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System Models for Electricity Consumption Prediction during COVID-19," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-20, October.
    15. Maria Triassi & Bruna De Simone & Paolo Montuori & Immacolata Russo & Elvira De Rosa & Fabiana Di Duca & Claudio Crivaro & Vittorio Cerullo & Patrizia Pontillo & Sergi Díez, 2023. "Determination of Residual Municipal Solid Waste Composition from Rural and Urban Areas: A Step toward the Optimization of a Waste Management System for Efficient Material Recovery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-21, September.
    16. Chen, Guanyi & Wenga, Terrence & Ma, Wenchao & Lin, Fawei, 2019. "Theoretical and experimental study of gas-phase corrosion attack of Fe under simulated municipal solid waste combustion: Influence of KCl, SO2, HCl, and H2O vapour," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C), pages 630-642.
    17. Takunda Shabani & Steven Jerie & Tapiwa Shabani, 2023. "Applicability of the Life Cycle Assessment Model in Solid Waste Management in Zimbabwe," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(4), pages 2233-2253, December.
    18. Oluwaseun Nubi & Stephen Morse & Richard J. Murphy, 2022. "Prospective Life Cycle Costing of Electricity Generation from Municipal Solid Waste in Nigeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-24, October.
    19. Luo, Xu & Gong, Xue & Xia, Jianjun, 2025. "Assessment of the waste-to-energy potential for industrial steam supply and carbon emission reduction in Hainan, China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    20. Kaouther Kerboua & Hamza Cheniti & Clyde Falzon Bouvett & Intissar Gasmi & Hani Amir Aouissi & Alexandru-Ionut Petrisor & Maria Boştenaru-Dan, 2025. "A Techno-Ecological Transformative Approach of Municipal Solid Waste Landfill in Upper-Middle-Income Countries Based on Energy Recovery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-29, February.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:20:p:9324-:d:1775870. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager The email address of this maintainer does not seem to be valid anymore. Please ask MDPI Indexing Manager to update the entry or send us the correct address (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.