Environmental Impact and Economic Benefits Analysis of Composting Apple Pruning Branches Based on Life Cycle Assessment

In order to provide reference for improvement of apple pruning branch fertilization treatment process, environmental impact of apple pruning branch fermentation composting treatment mode by using life cycle assessment was analyzed, and fertilization potential, economic benefits and pollutant emissions of each step of branch treatment were assessed．Results showed that, total amount of pollutants produced per functional unit of apple pruned branches treatment was 76.0219 kg, CO₂ emissions accounted for 96.79% of total emissions, which led to a higher impact of global warming on environment than acidification and eutrophication．Pollutant gas emissions from crushing and packing process, autoclaving of materials, branch crushing and composting process stages accounted for 38.26%, 27.22%, 21.04% and 10.85% of total emissions respectively．Treatment cost of apple pruning branch was 515 yuan/t and economic benefit was 285 yuan/t. Organic fertilizer produced by processing 1 t of apple paper strips could replace urea, calcium superphosphate and potassium sulphate by 61.3, 120 and 13.2 kg, respectively．