Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment Analysis of an Italian Composting Facility concerning Environmental Footprint Minimization and Renewable Energy Integration

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors investigated the comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment Analysis of an Italian composting facility concerning environmental footprint minimization and renewable energy integration. The results have shown that energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies integration in composting facilities can remarkably contribute to reach higher environmental standards for the sector and support a sustainable development worldwide. It is an interesting topic for the researchers in the related areas. The manuscript has certain advantage and has value for publishing in Sustainability. I suggest this manuscript can be accepted after minor revision. See below：

 

SPECIFIC COMMENTS

1. Line 399-389: “has Air gasification is considered since it is generally accepted that the gaseous emissions are lower with respect to incineration [46].”This sentence is confused.

2. Line 397: “Furthermore, long term emissions have not been accounted.” Why did not account the long term emissions？

3. Line 436: 3.1.1 Monte Carlo Analysis. The method of Monte Carlo Analysis should be provided in the Method part.

4. Figures 7: The axis of ordinates is not clear.

5. Line 613: CO2. The writing errors in the text should be revised carefully.

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The paper entitled "Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment Analysis of an Italian Composting Facility concerning Environmental Footprint Minimization and Renewable Energy Integration" is well written. The structure of the article is well presented by the authors. All cases from the introduction to the results show the good work of the authors in presenting the research.

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The abstract can be improved. Reduce the number of words, and be more concise with the results and the key findings.

In the first 61 lines of the introduction, there are too few references; it must be enriched with several references.

In methods:

Is there a problem with mentioning the name of the municipality where the plant is located?

section 2.2 LCA methodology does not give important information on the method used. I propose that this section (171 to 180) be moved to either introduction or as an initial paragraph in the discussion section.

in section 2.3, there are too many goals to analyze, and there is no clear focus in this section. Why the authors analyzed all of them at once? what is the "plus" of analyzing such a large variety of goals in one study?

section 2.5.1 must be moved. readers would like to know "how" the authors characterize the waste. however, the authors give the results in this section. those results must be added to the results section

sections 2.5.2 to 2.5.6 are data obtained (somehow). please explain in the method section which kind of data and do you need. those sections mentioned above must be moved into the results section.

In results.

Consider removing lines 384-387, since they do not give any practical information

In lines 389 to 391, the authors claim that "the results are reported according to the mass and energy balance". Please add the respective reference. is it a table, or a figure??

In lines 392 to 397, the authors try to explain the results of the investigation of the PV plant, but there are no data on this matter. please add it.

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

The purpose of the paper is for investigating the environmental impacts of a real municipal solid waste management facility operating in Italy with different management scenarios. The finding is vital for the modification of this new infrastructure and dissemination of the technology. The following are the general comments

1.       The study seems to study the environmental impacts of the available infrastructure, however, the study become complicated when combined with scenarios. I suggest to focus on the real system and come up with the finding

2.       What is the importance of connecting PV system to the compost analysis? And how connection to renewable energy system reduce the likely environmental impacts of the compost produced from the MSW?

3.       I also suggest to do the sensitivity analysis for the different scenarios.

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf