Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Felicitas Pellengahr, Ali Ghannadzadeh, Yvonne van der Meer
Summary: End-of-life (EoL) management of plastic packaging is crucial for integrating it into circular economy models. Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) are frequently used to determine the environmental sustainability of EoL options for plastic products. However, current studies have identified gaps between real-world scenarios and modeled EoL scenarios, indicating the need for more accurate modeling to guide policy-making and promote the integration of plastic products into a circular economy.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Thomas Elliot, Alan Carter, Sumedha Ghattuwar, Annie Levasseur
Summary: Road pavement has significant environmental impacts throughout its life cycle. Recycling methods, such as using reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), can improve environmental performance, although they are not without drawbacks. In this study, we assessed the environmental trade-offs of a road rehabilitation project using different quantities and blends of RAP over a 30-year service life. The results show that using RAP with cold in-place recycling can improve environmental indicators, such as climate change, with only a slight increase in transportation impact. This research contributes to understanding the potential improvements in pavement rehabilitation supply chains.
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART D-TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Roel J. K. Helmes, Pietro Goglio, Silvia Salomoni, Daan S. van Es, Iris Vural Gursel, Lusine Aramyan
Summary: This study compares reuse, mechanical and chemical recycling options for plastic shampoo bottles and finds that reuse has the greatest benefits in reducing climate change impact and fossil and mineral resource scarcity. It also shows that all end-of-life options result in a net reduction in these impacts. The improved life cycle assessment approach used in this study provides valuable information for adjusting policies and regulations for plastic manufacturers.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cheila Almeida, Jara Laso, David Baptista de Sousa, Ronan Cooney, Paula Quinteiro, Neil Rowan, Ana Claudia Dias, Eoghan Clifford, Rodrigo G. Reboredo, Maria Margallo, Maria Leonor Nunes, Antonio Marques
Summary: Packaging is crucial for food protection, consumer information, and waste reduction, but it can also negatively impact the environment. Recycling waste treatment offers more environmental benefits, yet only 66% of packaging waste is recycled in the EU. To minimize environmental impact, reducing packaging production and promoting reuse are the key approaches. Assessing consumer willingness to reduce environmental impact of seafood packaging is important.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Susanna Andreasi Bassi, Davide Tonini, Hans Saveyn, Thomas Fruergaard Astrup
Summary: This study analyzes the EU demand for PET packaging and quantifies the potential environmental and societal savings through changing waste management and consumption patterns. The results show that implementing more efficient waste management systems and a robust secondary material market can lead to significant reductions in CO2 emissions and PM2.5 emissions, while also avoiding high societal costs. Limiting the growth of PET consumption can also improve waste management efficiency and save on emissions and societal costs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pieter Callewaert, Hanne Lerche Raadal, Kari-Anne Lyng
Summary: Driven by European legislation, Norway must improve its plastic packaging recycling system to meet recycling targets. This study analyzes the current system and three alternative systems, evaluating their environmental impact and policy indicators. The study finds that increasing separation and sorting capacity can reduce the impact on climate change.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Laura Settier-Ramirez, Gracia Lopez-Carballo, Pilar Hernandez-Munoz, Raisa Tinitana-Bayas, Rafael Gavara, Neus Sanjuan
Summary: Extending shelf life can reduce food losses in the entire food chain, and active packaging utilizing natural antimicrobial compounds is an effective method to inhibit the growth of microorganisms causing food spoilage. The development of recyclable active packaging can significantly reduce food waste and environmental impact.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bora Seo, Jae Young Kim, Jaeshik Chung
Summary: Recent advancements in PV technology have reduced fossil fuel usage and CO2 emissions, but EoL c-Si PV panels have become a growing waste issue. Studies on recycling technologies and LCA for EoL c-Si PV panels are still limited, showing a need for more research to improve recovery rates and minimize environmental impacts.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Urs Schenker, Julia Chardot, Karim Missoum, Alexey Vishtal, Julien Bras
Summary: This article discusses the climate change impacts of using cellulose fiber-based materials in food packaging and presents an environmental assessment to compare them with fossil-based materials. The study reveals that cellulose fiber-based materials have lower environmental impacts compared to their fossil-based counterparts.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Olga Ballus, Meritxell Guix, Grau Baquero, Anna Bacardit
Summary: The purpose of this study was to develop a biopolymer using non-petroleum based raw materials in order to minimize environmental impact. An acrylic-based retanning product was designed, with a portion of the fossil-based materials replaced by biomass-derived polysaccharides. Life cycle assessment and biodegradability tests were conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of the new biopolymer. The results showed that the new biopolymer had similar organoleptic characteristics, higher biodegradability, and better exhaustion compared to the standard fossil-based product.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mattia Costamagna, Beatrice Maria Massaccesi, Devis Mazzucco, Marcello Baricco, Paola Rizzi
Summary: Plastic packaging, especially multilayer flexible packaging, is essential in everyday life, but the recycling of these materials is challenging. This study aims to assess the technical feasibility and environmental sustainability of a process for recycling polyamides-polyethylene multilayer packaging films. The technique used involves selective dissolution of the polymers using monoethylene glycol. Experimental tests determined the optimal conditions for film treatment and maximizing yields and product quality. Life Cycle Assessment showed that the recycling process reduces the overall environmental impacts of these materials. Therefore, the analyzed recycling process is an effective approach to increase environmental sustainability and recover raw materials.
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mengqing Kan, Shelie A. Miller
Summary: Life cycle assessment is commonly used to compare different packaging materials for food products. This study analyzes 28 LCA studies and finds that plastic packaging has a relatively small impact on the total emissions of most food products, with higher impact for liquids and small quantities.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Diogo A. Lopes Silva, Gabriela Giusti, Izabela S. Rampasso, Antonio Carlos Farrapo Junior, Manoela Anechini Simoes Marins, Rosley Anholon
Summary: The study found that remote classes during the COVID-19 pandemic tend to minimize the overall evaluated impacts to ten of the thirteen impact categories. An optimal scenario was also proposed showing an overall minimization of the impacts by up to 57%, if a hybrid class model were to be adopted.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Stephen G. Wiedemann, Leo Biggs, Simon J. Clarke, Stephen J. Russell
Summary: Wool recycling has a long history, and this study found that a recycled wool blend garment has lower environmental impacts compared to other emission reduction approaches. The impacts can be further reduced through proper garment use and care, and increasing the closed-loop recycling rate has the potential to reduce the environmental impacts in the wool sweater market.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yi-Chen Lan, Vivian Wy Tam, Weiqi Xing, Rina Datt, Zhonghua Chan
Summary: There is a lack of research on the environmental impacts of cut flowers from growing facilities to end consumers, and no review has been conducted on this topic. Current studies on life cycle assessment (LCA) of cut flowers show inconsistencies in the choice of functional unit and a focus on carbon footprint and energy consumption. The various flower species and cultivation methods make it challenging to compare environmental performance. To enhance environmental sustainability, suggestions include improving greenhouse technology, implementing integrated nutrient and pest management, introducing certification and labeling for cut flowers, developing sea transport with refrigerated containers, and increasing consumer awareness of environmental impact. There is still room for improvement in LCA of cut flowers, particularly in terms of allocation, waste treatment, and uncertainty analysis.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)