2.4.1. Goal and scope definition
The goal is to compare different MSW management alternatives from the life cycle perspective. The functional unit of the study is 1 ton of generated MSW in Sakarya. Consequential LCA is used for defining system boundary because consequential assessment describes how relevant environmental flows will change in response to possible decisions. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the system boundary of the study that defines what is and is not included in the assessment starts with the collection of MSW and includes waste transport, MSW material recovery facility (MRF), waste treatment alternatives (recycling, incineration and composting) and landfilling of waste. In this study, the following waste treatment alternatives are modeled so that we can compare their environmental impacts: