IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i15p11529-d1202412.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Recycling of Plastics as a Strategy to Reduce Life Cycle GHG Emission, Microplastics and Resource Depletion

Author

Listed:
  • Elias W. Gabisa

    (The Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, 126 Pracha Uthit Road, Bangkok 10140, Thailand
    Centre for Energy Technology and Environment (CEE), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
    Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar 6000, Ethiopia
    Department of Environmental Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand)

  • Chavalit Ratanatamskul

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand)

  • Shabbir H. Gheewala

    (The Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, 126 Pracha Uthit Road, Bangkok 10140, Thailand
    Centre for Energy Technology and Environment (CEE), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Bangkok 10400, Thailand)

Abstract

Plastic waste is the most challenging type of waste because its generation rate (consumption rate) is high, and the current recycling rate is low. The increase in the production and disposal of plastics has led to significant environmental problems including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, microplastic pollution, and resource depletion. The study aimed at quantifying the potential environmental effects reduction achieved by recycling the most widely consumed polymers. One approach to establishing a circular economy for plastics is recycling. Plastic recycling as a strategy to reduce life cycle GHG emissions, microplastic emissions, and resource depletion was investigated. Life cycle assessment methodology was employed, considering cradle-to-gate as a system boundary. The results showed that recycling can significantly reduce life cycle GHG emissions and resource depletion. Replacing the virgin material with recycled material reduces the emission to −67 MtCO 2 e. Recycling could have saved 56.8 million microplastic emissions per year. However, mechanical recycling, which is commercialised nowadays, contributed to an increase in microplastics as much as 2.4 × 10 9 million particles per year. Recycling will also save about 50 million tonnes of resources from depletion worldwide by recycling around 20 Mt plastics. However, microplastic emissions reduction in the present scenario of mechanical recycling is not possible unless other mechanisms to capture the emitted microplastics are introduced or other recycling methods, such as chemical recycling, are employed.

Suggested Citation

  • Elias W. Gabisa & Chavalit Ratanatamskul & Shabbir H. Gheewala, 2023. "Recycling of Plastics as a Strategy to Reduce Life Cycle GHG Emission, Microplastics and Resource Depletion," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:15:p:11529-:d:1202412
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/15/11529/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/15/11529/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cristina L. Popa & Simona I. Dontu & Dan Savastru & Elfrida M. Carstea, 2022. "Role of Citizen Scientists in Environmental Plastic Litter Research—A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-13, October.
    2. Rakesh Kumar & Anurag Verma & Arkajyoti Shome & Rama Sinha & Srishti Sinha & Prakash Kumar Jha & Ritesh Kumar & Pawan Kumar & Shubham & Shreyas Das & Prabhakar Sharma & P. V. Vara Prasad, 2021. "Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-41, September.
    3. Sivappirakasam Kamalakkannan & Amila Abeynayaka & Asela K. Kulatunga & Rajeev Kumar Singh & Miwa Tatsuno & Premakumara Jagath Dickella Gamaralalage, 2022. "Life Cycle Assessment of Selected Single-Use Plastic Products towards Evidence-Based Policy Recommendations in Sri Lanka," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-25, October.
    4. Trevor Zink & Roland Geyer, 2019. "Material Recycling and the Myth of Landfill Diversion," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 23(3), pages 541-548, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Žaneta Stasiškienė & Jelena Barbir & Lina Draudvilienė & Zhi Kai Chong & Kerstin Kuchta & Viktoria Voronova & Walter Leal Filho, 2022. "Challenges and Strategies for Bio-Based and Biodegradable Plastic Waste Management in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Thi Thanh Thuy Phan & Van Viet Nguyen & Hong Thi Thu Nguyen & Chun-Hung Lee, 2022. "Integrating Citizens’ Importance-Performance Aspects into Sustainable Plastic Waste Management in Danang, Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Xavier Tanguay & Gatien Geraud Essoua Essoua & Ben Amor, 2021. "Attributional and consequential life cycle assessments in a circular economy with integration of a quality indicator: A case study of cascading wood products," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(6), pages 1462-1473, December.
    4. Carlos Pablo Sigüenza & Bernhard Steubing & Arnold Tukker & Glenn A. Aguilar‐Hernández, 2021. "The environmental and material implications of circular transitions: A diffusion and product‐life‐cycle‐based modeling framework," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(3), pages 563-579, June.
    5. Ana Fonseca & Edgar Ramalho & Ana Gouveia & Filipa Figueiredo & João Nunes, 2023. "Life Cycle Assessment of PLA Products: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-19, August.
    6. Ren-Shou Yu & Sher Singh, 2023. "Microplastic Pollution: Threats and Impacts on Global Marine Ecosystems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-21, September.
    7. Akhmad Mustafa & Rachman Syah & Mudian Paena & Ketut Sugama & Endhay Kusnendar Kontara & Irwan Muliawan & Hidayat Suryanto Suwoyo & Andi Indra Jaya Asaad & Ruzkiah Asaf & Erna Ratnawati & Admi Athirah, 2023. "Strategy for Developing Whiteleg Shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannamei ) Culture Using Intensive/Super-Intensive Technology in Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-20, January.
    8. Elena Rangoni Gargano & Alessia Cornella & Pasqualina Sacco, 2023. "Governance Model for a Territory Circularity Index," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-15, February.
    9. Somkiat Maithomklang & Ekarong Sukjit & Jiraphon Srisertpol & Niti Klinkaew & Khatha Wathakit, 2023. "Pyrolysis Oil Derived from Plastic Bottle Caps: Characterization of Combustion and Emissions in a Diesel Engine," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-21, March.
    10. Agata Mesjasz-Lech & Pál Michelberger, 2019. "Sustainable Waste Logistics and the Development of Trade in Recyclable Raw Materials in Poland and Hungary," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-17, August.
    11. Noura Al-Jandal & Abdulaziz AlKhubaizi & Talat Saeed & Mariam Hajeyah, 2022. "Potential Adsorption Affinity of Estrogens on LDPE and PET Microplastics Exposed to Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-10, November.
    12. Francisco J. Tapia-Ubeda & José A. Isbej Muga & Diego A. Polanco-Lahoz, 2021. "Greening Factor Framework Integrating Sustainability, Green Supply Chain Management, and Circular Economy: The Chilean Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-33, December.
    13. Vidas Lekavičius & Viktorija Bobinaitė & Rimantė Balsiūnaitė & Daina Kliaugaitė & Kristina Rimkūnaitė & Jovita Vasauskaitė, 2023. "Socioeconomic Impacts of Sustainability Practices in the Production and Use of Carrier Bags," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-22, August.
    14. Kumar, Manish & Bolan, Shiv & Padhye, Lokesh P. & Konarova, Muxina & Foong, Shin Ying & Lam, Su Shiung & Wagland, Stuart & Cao, Runzi & Li, Yang & Batalha, Nuno & Ahmed, Mohamed & Pandey, Ashok & Sidd, 2023. "Retrieving back plastic wastes for conversion to value added petrochemicals: opportunities, challenges and outlooks," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 345(C).
    15. Altaf Hossain Molla & Hilal Shams & Zambri Harun & Mohd Nizam Ab Rahman & Hawa Hishamuddin, 2022. "An Assessment of Drivers and Barriers to Implementation of Circular Economy in the End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling Sector in India," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-25, October.
    16. Daming Li & Canyao Liu & Yu Shi & Jiaming Song & Yiliang Zhang, 2022. "Trade Flow Optimization Model for Plastic Pollution Reduction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-18, November.
    17. Ghulamullah Maitlo & Imran Ali & Hubdar Ali Maitlo & Safdar Ali & Imran Nazir Unar & Muhammad Bilal Ahmad & Darya Khan Bhutto & Ramesh Kumar Karmani & Shamim ur Rehman Naich & Raja Umer Sajjad & Sikan, 2022. "Plastic Waste Recycling, Applications, and Future Prospects for a Sustainable Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-27, September.
    18. Pfadt-Trilling, Alyssa R. & Widyolar, Bennett K. & Jiang, Lun & Brinkley, Jordyn & Bhusal, Yogesh & Winston, Roland & Fortier, Marie-Odile P., 2023. "Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of low-temperature process heat generation by external compound parabolic concentrator (XCPC) solar thermal array," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 992-998.
    19. Lingmei Han & Jianqiang You & Jiening Meng, 2023. "Environmental Value Assessment of Plastic Pollution Control: A Study Based on Evidence from a Survey in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-16, June.
    20. María-Carmen Ricoy & Cristina Sánchez-Martínez, 2022. "Raising Ecological Awareness and Digital Literacy in Primary School Children through Gamification," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-19, January.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:15:p:11529-:d:1202412. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.