Life Cycle Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste Management Systems in the ASEAN Region: Strategies toward Environmental Sustainability

Abstract

Rapid urbanisation and consumption patterns shift in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has rapidly increased municipal solid waste (MSW) generation, resulting in environmental challenges such as greenhouse gas emissions, resource depletion and public health risks. This study evaluates the life cycle environmental impacts of MSW management systems in ASEAN, focusing on three areas of protection, including human health, ecosystem damage, and resource depletion, and translates these impacts into monetary units. Additionally, the study investigates mitigation potentials through the integration of circular economy policies. The environmental impacts associated with managing one tonne of MSW in ASEAN countries vary across countries, with impacts on human health varying from 6.60 x 10^-4 to 19.68 x 10^-4 DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Years), on ecosystem quality ranging from 1.87 x 10^-6 to 3.31 x 10^-6 species-years, and resource depletion costs between -0.77 and 11.08 USD₂₀₁₃. Total environmental damage costs from managing one tonne of MSW in ASEAN countries range from 199.49 to 434.88 USD₂₀₂₃.  The environmental costs of the MSW management sector in ASEAN countries range from 29 million to 24 billion USD₂₀₂₃ in 2024 and are projected to increase, ranging from 40 million to 28 billion USD₂₀₂₃ in 2030 and from 71 million to 38 billion USD₂₀₂₃ in 2050 if current systems remain unchanged. Indonesia faces the highest environmental costs in the region, due to its substantial MSW generation volume. Singapore is the only country that avoids environmental impacts from its MSW management systems, characterised by high recycling rates, significant energy recovery, and minimal landfilling. Circular economy has the potential to reduce the environmental costs by over 60%. Therefore, comprehensive reforms, including stringent landfill regulations and incentivised recycling practices, are essential to decrease reliance on open dumping and achieve sustainable waste management.