Waste Management and Life Cycle Thinking

A comprehensive set of flashcards on key terms and concepts related to waste management and Life Cycle Thinking as discussed in the lecture.

Waste Management

The process of collecting, disposing, and recycling waste materials in an effective and environmentally sound manner.

Waste Hierarchy

A framework prioritizing waste management options: prevention, preparing for re-use, recycling, energy recovery, and disposal.

Life Cycle Thinking

An approach that considers the environmental impacts of a product throughout its entire life cycle from raw materials extraction to disposal.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

A method to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product by assessing emissions and resource usage across its life cycle.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Gases that contribute to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere, typically from human activities like waste incineration.

Resource Efficiency

Using resources in a sustainable manner to minimize waste and environmental impacts while maximizing economic benefits.

Energy Recovery

The process of extracting usable energy from waste materials, often through incineration or other conversion technologies.

Recyclability

The potential for materials to be processed and reused in the production of new products.

Sustainable Practices

Methods and strategies designed to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Environmental Impact

The effect of a product or activity on the environment, including emissions, resource consumption, and pollution.

Composting

A process of recycling organic waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment through biological decomposition.

Trade-off

A balancing act in decision-making that involves sacrificing one quality for another, often seen in environmental decisions.

Copenhagen Case Study

An example of using Life Cycle Assessment to evaluate waste management strategies in a city to improve environmental and economic outcomes.