LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF ORGANIC WASTE MANAGEMENT IN FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTERS: A CASE STUDY IN SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

Abstract

This paper focuses on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the organic waste fraction (OF) management generated by the food distribution center CEAGESP located in São Paulo, Brazil. Currently the organic waste is sent to landfill, without any specific treatment. Following the LCA method, several impact categories were assessed. The results show that most of the processes examined cause impacts into the categories global warming potential, particular matter formation potential, photochemical oxidant formation potential, terrestrial acidification potential and fossil depletion potential. The more important sources of pollutant are methane emissions from waste degradation in landfill, leachate production and emissions to air from the steps of waste collection and transport. It is suggested replacing the old vehicle models with new models that have better emission standards and, mainly, a reduction of the waste generated by CEAGESP.