Identification of leading hazardous waste generating industries with high improvement potential in Spain

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 731; p. 139207
• Main Authors: Camacho, José A., Ruíz-Peñalver, Soraya María, Rodríguez, Mercedes
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 20-08-2020
• Subjects: Hazardous waste; Input-output; LCA, DEA; Spain; Hazardous waste; Input-output; LCA, DEA; Spain
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139207

This paper employs Economic Input-Output Life Cycle Assessment and Data Envelopment Analysis to attribute total (direct and indirect) hazardous waste generation to the different industries and to connect total hazardous waste generation to the value added generated by each industry in Spain. In difference with previous studies we include all the industries of the economy and we focus on one specific type of environmental burden: the generation of hazardous waste. The results show that there is a very high concentration in total hazardous waste generation: only three industries accounted for almost 80% of total hazardous waste generation. This concentration also affects the type of hazardous waste generated. Thus, we find two main types of waste that account for 93% of total hazardous waste. Overall, the greatest hazardous waste generating industries are also the least efficient ones and exhibit a high improvement potential. Prevention measures directed to these industries should be implemented.
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•Total hazardous waste generation in Spain in 2016 is estimated.•Only three industries account for 80% of total hazardous waste generation.•Two types of hazardous waste represent 93% of total hazardous waste generation.•Improvement potential in higher in leading hazardous waste generating industries•Prevention measures should be directed to the industries identified.