Research

My research integrates Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC), and sustainability science to design pathways that minimize environmental impacts, optimize economic performance, and accelerate transitions to a low-carbon, circular economy. Below are the main research themes I have developed through my doctoral work, master’s theses, and professional collaborations.

1. Food Waste Valorization

Food waste is both an environmental challenge and a resource opportunity. My doctoral research at Montclair State University investigates the conversion of food waste into energy through anaerobic digestion and other valorization pathways. By combining LCA with LCC, I evaluate not only the environmental trade-offs but also the economic feasibility of such systems in New Jersey and the broader U.S. context.

Key outcomes:

• Quantifies greenhouse gas reduction potential from substituting food waste for fossil fuel-based energy.

• Identifies cost-optimal configurations for waste-to-energy facilities.

• Supports state-level policy and municipal waste management strategies.
  
  

2. Life Cycle Assessment of Landfill Covers

During my M.S. research at SUNY-ESF, I conducted one of the first comparative LCAs of landfill cover systems in the United States. The study compared shrub willow evapotranspiration (ET) covers with conventional clay and geosynthetic clay liner systems.

Key findings:

• Willow ET covers were shown to be carbon-negative, sequestering more greenhouse gases than they emitted.

• Demonstrated that bio-based systems can outperform engineered materials in long-term sustainability.

• Provided decision-making insights for landfill operators and state agencies.
  
  

Publication: Tariq, Z., Volk, T. A., & Therasme, O. (2021). Life cycle assessment of a shrub willow evapotranspiration cover compared with conventional clay and geosynthetic covers in Upstate New York. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28, 45029–45040.  
Thesis: Tariq, Z. (2020). Lifecycle Assessment of Shrub Willow Evapotranspiration Cover Versus Conventional Clay and Geosynthetic Covers. SUNY-ESF. 

3. Renewable Energy Systems in Pakistan

Energy security remains one of Pakistan’s most pressing challenges. In an independent research project, I developed scenario analyses of the country’s energy mix by integrating social, economic, and environmental indicators.

Key findings:

• Renewable energy integration can significantly reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.

• Policy scenarios aligned with the Paris Agreement show both climate and economic co-benefits.

• Provides a blueprint for developing economies that balances growth and decarbonization.
  
  

Preprint: Tariq, Z. (2018). The Role of Renewables in the Energy Mix of Pakistan: A Study Based on Social, Economic, and Environmental Indicators. ResearchGate. 

4. Biofuels and Circular Bioeconomy

My early master’s thesis at IIUI explored biodiesel production from bitter almond oil, contributing to knowledge on non-food, waste-derived feedstocks. This work laid the foundation for my long-term interest in the circular bioeconomy.

Key contributions:

• Demonstrated the feasibility of using unconventional oil sources for biodiesel.

• Identified process conditions for optimizing yield and reducing production costs.

Thesis: Tariq, Z. (2012). Environmentally Friendly Renewable Energy from Bitter Almond Oil. IIUI.

Cross-Cutting Themes

Across these domains, my research advances:

• Methodological rigor in applying ISO-compliant LCA and hybrid LCA-LCC models.

• Policy relevance, ensuring findings support decision-making at municipal, corporate, and national levels.

• Interdisciplinary scope, bridging environmental science, engineering, and economics.

Looking Forward

Future directions of my research include:

• Integrating social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) into food waste valorization studies.

• Developing decision-support tools for municipalities seeking sustainable waste management.

• Exploring bio-based alternatives to industrial products as part of the circular economy transition.