A material for treatment is a By-product/Waste that no other Activity in the same geographical area has as its positive Determining product, and which therefore cannot substitute a determining product as an input to an activity. This classification distinguishes materials that require treatment services from those that have market value and can displace other products.
Whilst ISO 14040 and 14044 do not explicitly define "material for treatment" as a distinct term, it fits within the broader ISO framework for handling multi-functional processes and waste flows. The standards distinguish between products with positive economic value and waste materials requiring treatment or disposal.
The defining characteristic of materials for treatment is their lack of substitution potential. Unlike recyclable by-products that can displace virgin materials or other determining products in subsequent activities, materials for treatment cannot serve this function within the defined geographical area. This geographical boundary is important, as a material might be recyclable in one region but require disposal in another due to differences in infrastructure, technology, or market conditions.
In Life Cycle Assessment modelling, materials for treatment typically appear as inputs to treatment activities, which are modelled with a negative determining product. This means the treatment activity provides a service (waste management) rather than producing a valuable product. Examples include municipal solid waste sent to incineration or landfill, contaminated materials requiring specialised disposal, or residues from recycling processes that cannot be further recovered.
As Chief Operating Officer, Iris leads our organisational development and oversees day-to-day operations. Before joining 2-0, she worked in the biotechnology sector. As an LCA consultant, Iris has devoted her expertise primarily to the domains of sustainable agriculture and food production. She is dedicated to teaching LCA and is responsible for our educational efforts. Iris holds an M.Sc. in Biology – Biotechnology from the University of Copenhagen.
Contact for: LCA Training
Glossary terms are clearer once you have seen them applied. Our guide to what LCA is and how it works walks through the complete methodology: goal and scope, inventory modelling, impact assessment, and interpretation.
If you are working on an LCA study and want it done properly, see how we approach life cycle assessment.
