wrate – the new lca tool for waste management

WRATE – The New LCA Tool for Waste ManagementTessa Bowering

Environment Officer (Waste)

What is WRATE? Waste and Resources Assessment Tool for the

Environment LCA software tool for comparing different systems for

managing and processing Municipal Solid Waste Allows you to assess/consider the environmental impact

of all stages involved in managing and processing waste from collection through to disposal

Allows you to compare the environmental impact of the different options available at each stage of managing and processing waste to help make decisions when choosing waste management options

Life Cycle Assessment for Waste

RawMaterial

Production / Manufacturing Use End of Life

Raw material and energy

Emissions to air, water and soil

Why WRATE? Environmental impacts of waste operations are

balanced against benefit of materials/energy replaced Whole life cycle accounted for – capital, maintenance,

operation, recycled materials etc. Takes into account emissions to the environment

from the whole system and any resources used EA role to provide sound, objective and impartial

advice to LAs on how much waste there is, where it comes from and what are the environmental impacts of managing it in different ways

Software not designed to rank waste management options

Why WRATE? (2) Waste strategy 2007: WRATE

recommended life cycle tool for informing decisions on waste

infrastructure options and; estimating global warming

emissions of local waste strategies

WRATE “user interface”

DRAG & DROP WM PROCESS SELECTOR

DRAG & DROP WASTE

STREAM SELECTOR

Processes in WRATE Containers (34) sacks, bins, recycling banks Transport (26) RCV, ship,train, car Intermediate Facilities (14) Transfer Station, HWRC,

Intermodal, MRF Recycling processes (24) Ferrous, Glasphalt etc. Treatment & Recovery - Incinerators (5), pyrolysers

(3), gasifiers (2), cement kiln (1), composting (8), AD (4), MBT-Aerobic (6), MBT-AD (4), MBT-biodrying (4), autoclave (1), RDF production (2), Landfill (6)

Landfill (6) Clay Liner, Clay cap, etc.

Use the icons to describe municipal waste streams….

…then linked to bins/sacks and transport

….next transfer stations etc. and subsequent treatment/recycling

….and finally, any residues from treatment or recycling

An example of completed scenario

Where is WRATE likely to be used? municipal waste strategies and plans Assessing who offers the best environmental service

when letting contracts improving waste collection systems Improving treatment processes training and communication tool carbon target setting

How much does it cost? Demonstration: FREE. To register an interest email

wrate@environment-agency.gov.uk. The user manual will also be made available. The demonstration version allows you to explore the various input fields, run the model and view the type of results that WRATE generates.

WRATE is sold as a single installation licence. It is not suitable for network distribution to multiple users.

Standard version (for waste managers): £1500 licence fee in year 1, £1400 in year 2

Expert version (allows access to background data): £5950 licence fee for year1, £5150 in year 2

Training: £350 standard training and £450 for expert licence holders who have already attended the standard training.

Training can be booked through the NCCC on 08708 506 506

www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wrate