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- Myrin, Eva Svensson, et al.
(author)
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A case study on closed-loop recycling of co-polyester plates – Assessment of material quality and life-cycle energy and greenhouse gas performance
- 2022
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In: Cleaner Environmental Systems. - : Elsevier BV. - 2666-7894. ; 6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Material quality, and opportunities for multiple reprocessing, need to be considered when analysing the overall carbon footprint and energy efficiency of plastic products in life cycle assessments. This is rarely done today. This paper presents a case study evaluating a closed-loop recycling system involving a plastics manufacturer in Sweden which produces and reprocesses multiple-use plastic dining plates. The study involves (i) analysing the physical properties and food safety and (ii) assessing the life-cycle energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) performance of the closed-loop recycling system and three other conventional options. The results show certain deterioration in material quality of the plastic plates after six reprocessing cycles but maintained functionality and fulfilment of the food safety requirements. Furthermore, the results show that the life-cycle GHG emissions for the closed-loop recycling system correspond to 20–60% of those of the alternative systems. The primary energy use for the closed-loop recycling system amounts to 50–60% of that of two alternative systems, while it is higher compared to the system that involves one recycling loop followed by waste incineration with energy recovery. This study demonstrates the importance of taking material quality into account in life cycle assessments and confirms the GHG benefits of closed-loop systems.
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| 2. |
- Palm, Ellen, et al.
(author)
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Mapping the plastics system and its sustainability challenges
- 2018
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Plastics are versatile materials with environmental, technical, economical and societal benefits, however plastics also contribute negatively to the environment and climate. Put in numbers around 4% of the fossil oil and gas is used as feedstock for plastics while another 4% is used for providing energy for the manufacturing of plastics. Many initiatives on reducing the negative effects of plastics are focusing on waste management, product design and consumer behaviour, however the fact that plastics originate from crude oil is sometimes neglected. The plastics system faces major sustainability challenges. The utilization of fossil feedstock and energy in the production causes emissions of carbon dioxide. Insufficient waste management and recycling result in littering and resource inefficiency. Plastics are likely to continue to be an important material in a fossil free future, however for that a sustainability transition needs to take place. The question is how?The report describes the current value chains including production, utilization and waste management of plastics as well as the sustainability challenges related to them. This extended summary highlights the most important sustainability challenges and gives some concrete examples of the difficulties and contradictions in achieving a more sustainable plastics system. The report is part of the Mistra funded research programme STEPS – Sustainable Plastics and Transition Pathways. The vision of the programme is to “…facilitate and accelerate transition of the plastic sector to a future society with sustainable production, use and recycling in a circular plastics economy.” Based on that vision, the following questions are asked: What are sustainable plastics? What is the role of plastics in a sustainable society? And what are the key challenges?
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| 3. |
- Svensson Myrin, Eva, et al.
(author)
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The influence of food waste on dioxin formation during incineration of refuse-derived fuels
- 2014
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In: Fuel. - : Elsevier. - 0016-2361 .- 1873-7153. ; 132, s. 165-169
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report a preliminary characterization of three refuse-derived fuels (RDFs) produced from recovered wood (RW) and two municipal solid wastes (MSWs) with different food waste contents. The fuels were characterized with respect to elemental composition and emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (PCDF) during combustion in a full-scale incinerator. The first RDF (RDF 1) had a low food waste content because it was based on MSW collected from a region where extensive separation of kitchen waste in the household is common. RDF 2 was based on MSW from a region with no organized separation of kitchen waste and therefore had a higher food waste content. A RW fuel with no added MSW was combusted to provide reference data. RDF 1 had very favourable fuel quality and PCDD/F emissions. In particular, its combustion generated lower PCDD/F concentrations (14.6 ng/m3) than that of RDF 2 (23.9 ng/m3) or RW (22.6 ng/m3). This may have been because its relatively high heating value increased its combustion efficiency and the relatively high Cl and Fe contents of RDF 2 promoted PCDD/F formation and chlorination. Both RDF materials had lower moisture contents and higher heating values than the RW fuel.
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