The Environment Agency have recently launched their new life cycle analysis tool, WRATE (Waste and Resources Assessment Tool for the Environment).  This software enables you to compare different management systems treating Municipal Solid Waste (MSW).

WRATE has been used to convert the site process data collected by the Waste Technologies Data Centre (WTDC) into 40 life cycle assessments. WRATE includes the processes environmental costs and benefits of resources used, transport and the operational impacts of materials, and energy treated downstream from WTDC processes.  It includes the ecoinvent v1.2 database that is used to estimate the life cycle costs for the materials and energy that are used or recovered by processes.

This tool is a useful addition to the course as it can be used to improve decisions concerning sustainable waste management.  The download below contains slides and trainers notes that can be incorporated in to a long or short presentation on the software.  A demonstration CD to supplement the material is also available by contacting the Environment Agency.

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