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Durable Goods Calculator
EPA created the Durable Goods Calculator (DGC) to help companies and individuals understand the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission implications of various disposal methods for durable goods. GHG emission and energy estimates provided by the Durable Goods Calculator are intended to support voluntary GHG measurement and reporting initiatives as well as provide information regarding the GHG emission implications of waste management decisions. The Calculator estimates GHG emissions benefits in MTCE and energy savings in MMBtu for recycling, landfilling and combustion of 14 typical durable goods. The DGC is available as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (102.8 kb WinZip file).The DGC calculates GHG emissions and energy consumption related to disposal activities using analyses of baseline and alternative disposal scenarios. For example, the tool will allow the user to estimate the GHG emissions and energy benefits of disposing of appliances with varying percentages being recycled, combusted or landfilled.
DGC was last updated in August, 2005.
Emission and Energy Factors
The GHG emission and energy factors in the tool were developed using a life-cycle assessment methodology that is consistent with international guidance on GHG accounting (IPCC Guidelines). EPA’s report Solid Waste Management and Greenhouse Gases: A Life-Cycle Assessment of Emissions and Sinks (EPA530-R-06-004) describes the methodology used to quantify emissions and sinks in detail. For a free copy of this report, visit http://www.epa.gov/mswclimate/greengas.pdf (PDF, 3,318 kb, 160 pp.) or call the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP) at 1-800-490-9198.
For most of the goods analyzed, unique life cycle analyses (LCAs) were not conducted. Rather, this tool functions by creating an aggregate GHG emission and energy profile by creating a weighted average of the raw material content. For example, the recycling emission factor for a clothes washer is based on a weighted average of the recycling emission factors for the steel, aluminum, plastic that make up an average clothes washer. GHG emissions and energy associated with shredding of these materials (to obtain the raw material components) and recovery loss rates are included in this analysis. GHG emissions associated with the recovery of refrigerants contained within some of these items (e.g., refrigerators) are not included in this analysis. Waste management emission and energy factors for personal computers and carpet are consistent with the EPA's WAste Reduction Model (WARM).
Using DGC
A Microsoft Excel version of the DGC is
available for free download and can be installed by following the directions
below.
To download the zip file:
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Save this file, DGC.zip (102.8 kb WinZip file) to your hard drive. |
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Open it and extract the DGC.xls file to your hard drive. |
The installed program is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet application. After you have installed the program, you may run the application:
Using Microsoft Excel 5.0
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To run the DGC, open the DGC.xls file. |
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Select the "Read Only" option. |
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Then you may begin using the DGC application. |
Using Microsoft Excel 97 or 2000
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To run the DGC, open the DGC.xls file. |
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Select the "Enable Macros" option. |
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You may then begin using the DGC application |
IMPORTANT: In order for DGC to function, your Excel settings must be set to permit the use of macros. Users must have Excel security set to medium (recommended) or low (not recommended). To change this setting, the user must first launch Microsoft Excel before opening DGC. Once in Excel, go to the Tools menu, click on the Macro sub-menu, and then select “Security”. The Security box will appear. Click on the “Security Level” tab and select medium. When set to high, macros are automatically disabled; when set to medium, Excel will give users the choice to enable macros; when set to low, macros are always enabled. When Excel security is set to medium, users are asked whether to enable macros upon opening the module. Click “Enable Macros” in order to activate macros. This will allow the tool to function properly.
Instructions
To use the Durable Goods Calculator, the user will need to enter data on the quantity of units or raw weight for each durable good category they intend for disposal into the pale yellow cells. Once quantity/raw weight data is entered, the user is then asked to allocate approximate percentages of each durable good into the recycling, landfilling and combustion disposal categories for a baseline as well as an alternative disposal profile. The calculator then provides estimates of GHG benefit and Energy savings for recycling, landfilling and combustion (includes ferrous recovery) of the durable goods entered in each category, for both profiles. Emission benefit and energy savings totals are provided in the pale green cells on the GHG Emission Profiles and Energy Profiles pages. Differences between the baseline and alternative disposal profiles are also provided to the user on these pages.
Assistance
If you need additional assistance with the Durable Goods Calculator, please email Sara Hartwell (Hartwell.Sara@epamail.epa.gov).