The management of organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) has continued to be a significant challenge in Sri Lanka. Anaerobic digestion is one of the management options of OFMSW. However, it generates unavoidable environmental impacts that should be addressed. The present study focuses to assess the environmental impact of a full-scale anaerobic digestion plant in Sri Lanka from a life cycle perspective. The inventory data were obtained from direct interviews and field measurements. Environmental burdens were found to be in terms of global warming potential (230 kg CO₂ eq) ozone formation on human health (6.15 × 10⁻⁶ kg NO_x eq), freshwater eutrophication (2.92 × 10⁻³ kg P eq), freshwater ecotoxicity (9.27 × 10⁻⁵ kg 1,4 DCB eq), human carcinogenic toxicity (3.98 × 10⁻⁴ kg 1,4 DCB eq), land use (1.32 × 10⁻⁴ m² a crop eq) and water consumption (2.23 × 10⁻² m³). The stratospheric ozone depletion, fine particulate matter formation, ozone formation on terrestrial ecosystems, terrestrial acidification, marine eutrophication, ecotoxicity (terrestrial and marine), human non-carcinogenic toxicity, mineral resource scarcity and fossil resource scarcity, were avoided due to electricity production. Results show that the direct gaseous emissions and digestate generation should be addressed in order to reduce the burdens from the anaerobic digestion plant. Finally, the results of the study could help in policy formation and decision-making in selecting future waste management systems in Sri Lanka.

在斯里兰卡，城市固体废物的有机部分 (OFMSW) 的管理仍然是一项重大挑战。厌氧消化是OFMSW的管理选择之一。但是，它会产生不可避免的环境影响，应该加以解决。本研究的重点是从生命周期的角度评估斯里兰卡全规模厌氧消化厂对环境的影响。清单数据来自直接访谈和现场测量。发现环境负担是全球变暖潜能值 (230 kg CO ₂ eq) 臭氧对人类健康的形成 (6.15 × 10 ^-6  kg NO _x eq)、淡水富营养化 (2.92 × 10 ^-3  kg P eq)、淡水生态毒性 (9.27 × 10^-5  kg 1,4 DCB eq)、人类致癌毒性 (3.98 × 10 ^-4  kg 1,4 DCB eq)、土地利用 (1.32 × 10 ^-4  m ² a 作物当量) 和用水量 (2.23 × 10 ^-2 米³）。电力生产避免了平流层臭氧消耗、细颗粒物形成、陆地生态系统臭氧形成、陆地酸化、海洋富营养化、生态毒性（陆地和海洋）、人类非致癌毒性、矿产资源稀缺和化石资源稀缺。结果表明，为了减少厌氧消化厂的负担，应解决直接气体排放和沼渣生成问题。最后，研究结果可以帮助制定政策和决策，以选择斯里兰卡未来的废物管理系统。