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Author: search.filters.author.Abdul-Sattar NizamiSubject: search.filters.subject.Circular economy

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    Sustainable valorization of leachate at Lakhodair landfill, Lahore: An integrated life cycle environmental and economic assessment of biogas production
    (Elsevier BV, 2026-02)
    Mehak Saghir
    ;
    Aqsa Ayub
    ;
    Abdul-Sattar Nizami
    ;
    Mujtaba Baqar
    ;
    HESAM, KAMYAB  
    The rapid growth of the human population has led to a significant increase in municipal solid waste (MSW), which is projected to reach 2.2 billion tons per year by the end of 2025. This has caused a problem with landfill leachate. Biogas production from landfill leachate offers a sustainable solution to mitigate environmental issues, including greenhouse gas emissions and groundwater contamination, while recovering clean energy and valuable resources from waste. This study simulates and assesses the environmental and economic benefits of biogas production from leachate using a life-cycle assessment (LCA) framework. The environmental impacts were evaluated using the LCA methodology and the ReCiPe 2016 midpoint (H) approach, which comprises 18 different environmental categories. Midpoint results revealed that terrestrial eco-toxicity, climate change, and fossil depletion were the main impact categories that potentially contributed to 3.63 × 101 kg 1,4-DB eq., 5.37 × 102 kg CO2 eq., and 1.83 × 101 kg oil eq., respectively, for 1 m3 of biogas production. Scenario modeling was performed by replacing the power source with a solar cell rather than grid electricity. Shifting to solar energy resulted in a GWP of 535 kg CO2 equivalent and an FDP of 18 kg oil equivalent per m3 of biogas production. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses were conducted to evaluate environmental performance, with electricity and other inputs identified as key drivers of environmental impact. Financial analysis of 1300 m3 biogas plant reveals strong economic performance, with annual revenue of USD 651,495.98 and operational expenditures of USD 541,352.98. The project's profitability is underscored by a 2-year payback period, a positive NPV of 6,372,112.71, and an IRR of 34.53 %. While external costs, including USD 15.75 per m3 for emissions management, are notable, the environmental benefits of reduced leachate problems and electricity generation support the project's viability. This study provides policymakers, waste management practitioners, and stakeholders with valuable insights into reducing environmental impacts while increasing resource recovery from waste streams. This research aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 6, 7, 11, 14, and 15, by advancing clean energy, promoting economic growth, fostering sustainable communities, and enhancing environmental protection.
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    Advancing sustainable bioethanol production from organic waste by integrating life cycle modeling
    (Elsevier BV, 2025-12)
    Khadija Sajid
    ;
    Muhammad Hassan Javed
    ;
    Ala'a H. Al-Muhtaseb
    ;
    Mohammad Rehan
    ;
    Mohammad Ilyas Khan
    This study aims to optimize the environmental and economic benefits of producing bioethanol from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste in Pakistan. The country generates approximately 71,000 kg of OFMSW annually, yet no facility currently exists for its conversion into bioethanol. Leveraging the availability of OFMSW, this study designs a bioethanol production plant and evaluates its environmental sustainability through an attributional life cycle assessment using the ReCiPe (H) model. Results indicate that 154 kg of bioethanol can be produced from every 1 ton of organic waste. Compared to current landfilling practices, bioethanol production from OFMSW demonstrates lower environmental burdens, including climate change potential (3.05E-05 kg CO₂ eq), photochemical ozone formation (132 kg NOx eq), human toxicity (13.6 kg 1,4-DB eq), eutrophication potential (10.9 kg P eq), ozone depletion potential (0.0111 kg CFC-11 eq), and acidification potential (−5.39E-03 kg SO₂ eq). Scenario modelling assessed the integration of photovoltaic solar cells for electricity supply, showing a reduction in fine particulate matter emissions from 67.8 kg to 0.766 kg PM₂.₅ eq compared to grid electricity. Hotspot analysis identified key impact categories contributing to environmental burdens. The economic assessment revealed an annual revenue potential of approximately USD 528,330 from bioethanol sales. Overall, producing bioethanol from OFMSW presents a viable alternative fuel pathway that is both environmentally and economically beneficial, reduces landfill dependency, and supports the principles of a circular economy. This strategy contributes directly to achieving key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including responsible consumption and production, affordable clean energy, and climate action.