This book is the result of three intensive years of investigation performed by partners from 9
European countries including consulting companies university institutes and municipalities
within the project The Use of Life Cycle Assessment Tools for the Development of Integrated
Waste Management Strategies for Cities and Regions with Rapid Growing Economies (LCA-IWM). The
project was funded by the European Commission's Fifth Framework Programme. Each chapter deals
in depth with adifferent aspect of municipal waste management systems. A method for the
prognosis of waste generation is described. The reader is also provided with a clear
understanding and significant criteria for the evaluation in terms of sustainability of the
waste management situation. The book not only answers the questionhow we are but also provides
the reader with key tools to the more important pointhow can we improve it. One of the most
important contributions of the project is the creation of two user adjustable computer assisted
tool which support the accurate making of decisions in the waste management field where rapid
developing municipalities find it difficult to successfully plan their systems in order to
fulfill the growing requirements of the European regulations. This Handbook also provides
guidelines for the use of the developed Waste Prognostic Tool and the Municipal Solid Waste
Management System Assessment Tool.
