South-East-North Network on Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of Waste-to-Energy Technologies (SEN4WTE)

Brazil produces 80 million tonnes of solid waste annually and only 4% is reused or recycled. This creates a significant problem for the cities; however, it could be a good opportunity for Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technologies. Banana peels, for example, is a good feedstock for this thermochemical conversion due to the substantial volume of underutilized or improperly disposed agri-food residues. With more than 83 thousand tonnes of banana peels potentially generated every year, there is an opportunity to use this biomass through pyrolysis, a thermochemical process involves converting waste materials into valuable products and by-products. Extensive research is being conducted to understand the pyrolysis mechanisms for different types of waste and to enable their industrial-scale use. WtE technologies must prioritize achieving higher energy recovery efficiency, lower pollutant emissions, and positive impacts on societal well-being. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies addressing the sustainability aspects of these technologies. Conducting socio-environmental assessments using a life cycle approach is essential to analyze the complete waste-to-energy value chain and provide comprehensive insights into the holistic sustainability aspects of these technologies. This project aims to assess the socio-environmental aspects of an industrial-scale pyrolysis plant in Brazil through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA). The waste used in this waste-to-energy system is banana peels. This project will contribute to disseminating the life cycle thinking, developing S-LCA, and adopting waste-to-energy technologies in Brazil. Furthermore, its outcomes can help inform public policies on renewable energy sources and promote a just energy transition.