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Environmental assessment of discarded plastic caps as a honeycomb core: An eco‐mechanical perspective

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  • Pablo Resende Oliveira
  • Sebastian Kilchert
  • Michael May
  • Tulio Hallak Panzera
  • Fabrizio Scarpa
  • Stefan Hiermaier

Abstract

The extensive disposal of plastic components into the environment requires an economically and ecologically feasible solution for the proper treatment or new uses for plastic waste. This study compares the environmental and mechanical performance of a sandwich panel based on disposed bottle caps core with different eco‐friendly skins and adhesive. A cradle‐to‐gate life cycle assessment compares the environmental impacts of the manufacture of six‐bottle cap panel designs with various skin (aluminum, recycled PET, and flax laminates) and adhesive types (epoxy vs. biopolymer) by calculating their ReCiPe midpoint impact indicators. An eco‐mechanical indicator is additionally proposed to measure the efficiency of designs with greater strength/stiffness and less environmental footprint. The bio‐based skin on the sandwich panel significantly reduces environmental damage between 32% and 87% compared to metallic skins. Recycled skin promotes the lowest impacts, while considerably reducing mechanical performance. The bio‐based adhesive has emissions up to 15% lower than epoxy. The eco‐mechanical balance showed up to 630% higher efficiency for bottle cap panel designs based on bio‐based polymer, flax‐based skins, and/or less adhesive depending on the mechanical response. Promising environmental performance with superior mechanical strength highlights the potential of bottle caps as an eco‐friendly honeycomb for secondary construction and transport structures.

Suggested Citation

  • Pablo Resende Oliveira & Sebastian Kilchert & Michael May & Tulio Hallak Panzera & Fabrizio Scarpa & Stefan Hiermaier, 2022. "Environmental assessment of discarded plastic caps as a honeycomb core: An eco‐mechanical perspective," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(2), pages 643-654, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:26:y:2022:i:2:p:643-654
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.13211
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Markus Gall & Andrea Schweighuber & Wolfgang Buchberger & Reinhold W. Lang, 2020. "Plastic Bottle Cap Recycling—Characterization of Recyclate Composition and Opportunities for Design for Circularity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-21, December.
    2. Tomas Ekvall, 2020. "Attributional and Consequential Life Cycle Assessment," Chapters, in: Maria Jose Bastante-Ceca & Jose Luis Fuentes-Bargues & Levente Hufnagel & Florin-Constantin Mihai & (ed.), Sustainability Assessment at the 21st century, IntechOpen.
    3. Maria Jose Bastante-Ceca & Jose Luis Fuentes-Bargues & Levente Hufnagel & Florin-Constantin Mihai & (ed.), 2020. "Sustainability Assessment at the 21st century," Books, IntechOpen, number 6096.
    4. Rosario Vidal & Enrique Moliner & Pedro P. Martin & Sergio Fita & Maik Wonneberger & Eva Verdejo & François Vanfleteren & Nieves Lapeña & Ana González, 2018. "Life Cycle Assessment of Novel Aircraft Interior Panels Made from Renewable or Recyclable Polymers with Natural Fiber Reinforcements and Non†Halogenated Flame Retardants," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 22(1), pages 132-144, February.
    5. Franz Segovia & Pierre Blanchet & Ben Amor & Costel Barbuta & Robert Beauregard, 2019. "Life Cycle Assessment Contribution in the Product Development Process: Case Study of Wood Aluminum-Laminated Panel," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-20, April.
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