PARENT SESSION

6C - LCA and Economics: Input/Output Analysis
Poster Hall
8:30 AM - Tuesday, 29 April 2003
Chair: Huppes, G.¹, ¹
Co-chair: Norris, G.², ²

(TUP/228) Methodology and application of life cycle costing in waste water treatment.

Rebitzer, Gerald¹, Hunkeler, David², ¹ Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Lausanne, VD, Switzerland² Aqua+Tech S.A., Geneva, GE, Switzerland

ABSTRACT- In recent years the cost management of supply chains, as well as of the complete life cycle of products, has gained relevance in many industrial sectors. This has been caused, primarily, by increased cost pressure due to the competition in a global market. However, there has also been a rising need to pass information on product-, material-, and energy flows along the supply chain as well as to provide data on the use and end-of-life phases. The latter results from new regulatory measures as well as from additional customer demands. Therefore, methods to analyze, assess, and manage these flows, from an economic as well as from an environmental perspective, are of essential importance for the implementation of life cycle management (LCM). To date, these life cycle approaches have primarily focused on classical material goods such as automobiles or electronics, but have, generally, not been a focus in more service-oriented industries. Such services encompass the process industries, also including the regionally and globally extremely relevant service of waste water treatment. A modular life cycle costing model for waste water treatment has been developed to find the overall most cost-effective and environmental solution, or a sufficient compromise, to improve the eco-efficiency of the service. The presentation shows how life cycle costing for the service of waste water treatment can be carried out on the basis of a life cycle inventory model. Results of comparing different treatment options will be presented and implications for improving the eco-efficiency will be discussed. Specifically, the LCM relevant findings in regards to chemical use, sludge transport and disposal options will be elaborated in detail in order to identify cost drivers and priorities for cost savings. The economic, and environmental, breakeven transport distances will also be presented for various scenarios.

Key words: Waste Water Treatment, Life Cycle Costing, Life Cycle Management, Eco-efficiency