| Title | Life cycle assessment of plastic packaging recycling embedded with responsibility distribution as driver for environmental mitigation |
|---|---|
| ID_Doc | 18008 |
| Authors | Van Fan, Y; Cucek, L; Krajnc, D; Klemes, JJ; Lee, CT |
| Title | Life cycle assessment of plastic packaging recycling embedded with responsibility distribution as driver for environmental mitigation |
| Year | 2023 |
| Published | |
| Abstract | Life cycle assessment modelling of multi-cycle recycling systems is challenging. There is still nei-ther consensus on applying allocation approaches nor a one-size-fits-all solution. This study pro-poses an allocation approach embedded with the responsibility distribution of stakeholders rather than the standard approach, which is assessed based on stages. It is applied to the case study of plastic packaging recycling and compared to simple and economic allocation cut-off methods. A total of four multiple recycling or cascade utilisation scenarios are assessed, consist-ing of the linear system (disposal), mechanical recycling, waste to energy and chemical recycling, for at least one of the cycles. Scenario 2, with mechanical recycling as the end-of-life manage-ment in all three multiple cycles, has the lowest overall GHG emissions (similar to 4.8 t CO2eq/t plastic packaging) regardless of allocation method, even after considering deducted savings due to the degraded quality along the cycles. The simple cut-off method could not drive the selection in the first cycle toward the recycling alternatives (Scenario 2-4) with overall lower emissions as the GHG saving from utilising recycled resources are accounted for in the second cycle. Regarding eu-trophication potential, as the burdening impact of disposal is significantly higher, recycling op-tions accounted for following the simple cut-off method are preferable even when the burdening effect is entirely embraced by the first cycle without the unburdening accounting. Economic allo-cation cut-offs provide a better incentive to recycle in the assessed cycles. However, the standard accounting is by stages such as material production, product manufacturing, recycling and dis-posal. It is unclear whose responsibility, either the raw material producer (MP), the product man-ufacturer (PM) or the consumer (C). The proposed method with defined responsibility (e.g. 6.2 t CO2eq/t by MP; 2.9 t CO2eq/t by PM; 0.5 t CO2eq/t by C in Scenario 1) is more effective for envi-ronmental mitigation strategies (e.g. taxation and incentives, deposit refund scheme) of the plas-tic life cycle. The scenarios assessment serves as a stepping stone to optimise the allocation among the identified stakeholders in future work according to local conditions. |
Similar Articles
| ID | Score | Article |
|---|---|---|
64724
|
Cristóbal, J; Albizzati, PF; Giavini, M; Caro, D; Manfredi, S; Tonini, D Management practices for compostable plastic packaging waste: Impacts, challenges and recommendations(2023) | |
| 25707
|
Venkatachalam, V; Spierling, S; Endres, HJ Recyclable, but not recycled-an indicator to quantify the environmental impacts of plastic waste disposal(2024) | |
| 26501
|
Vlasopoulos, A; Malinauskaite, J; Zabnienska-Góra, A; Jouhara, H Life cycle assessment of plastic waste and energy recovery(2023) | |
| 4772
|
Huysveld, S; Hubo, S; Ragaert, K; Dewulf, J Advancing circular economy benefit indicators and application on open-loop recycling of mixed and contaminated plastic waste fractions(2019) | |
| 15835
|
Waszczylko-Milkowska, B; Bernat, K Using the Amount of Plastic Packaging Placed on the Market to Determine the Annual Amount of Plastic Packaging Waste Generated in Poland to Enable Sustainable Waste Management(2024)Sustainability, 16, 12 | |
| 4615
|
Venkatachalam, V; Pohler, M; Spierling, S; Nickel, L; Barner, L; Endres, HJ Design for Recycling Strategies Based on the Life Cycle Assessment and End of Life Options of Plastics in a Circular Economy(2022)Macromolecular Chemistry And Physics, 223, 13 | |
| 28793
|
Mastellone, ML Technical description and performance evaluation of different packaging plastic waste management's systems in a circular economy perspective(2020) | |
| 13181
|
Daigo, I Life Cycle Assessment for Evaluating Materials(2022)Tetsu To Hagane-Journal Of The Iron And Steel Institute Of Japan, 108, 11 | |
| 22229
|
Faraca, G; Martinez-Sanchez, V; Astrup, TF Environmental life cycle cost assessment: Recycling of hard plastic waste collected at Danish recycling centres(2019) | |
| 15563
|
Lopez-Aguilar, JF; Sevigne-Itoiz, E; Pena, M; Pena, J A realistic material flow analysis for end-of-life plastic packaging management in Spain: Data gaps and suggestions for improvements towards effective recyclability(2022) |