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Social Life Cycle Assessment of Product Value Chains Under a Circular Economy Approach: A Case Study in the Plastic Packaging Sector

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  • Diana Reinales

    (Fundacion CIRCE, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • David Zambrana-Vasquez

    (Instituto Universitario de Investigación Mixto CIRCE (Fundacion CIRCE—Universidad de Zaragoza), 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Aitana Saez-De-Guinoa

    (Fundacion CIRCE, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

Abstract

Environmental and economic impact assessment of products have a long record, while social performance analysis of products have less references in the scientific literature due its particularities and the adaptations needed for the features of the studied subject. In addition, there is a lack of a methodological framework of its application in the analysis of value chains, with the aim of estimating the impacts of technical innovations from the social point of view. This paper describes the theoretical framework and impact assessment approach for the Social Life Cycle Assessment of product value chains under a circular economy approach by applying a scoring system in different subcategories and indicators, considering the plastic packaging sector as a case study. Twelve subcategories have been chosen, because of their relevance to the case study, related to the impacts on the labor conditions, consumers’ well-being, end-of-life of the product, local community conditions, technology and suppliers, among others. The validation of the methodology in the plastic packaging sector is done by considering the main stakeholders involved in the value chain and the particularities of the sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Diana Reinales & David Zambrana-Vasquez & Aitana Saez-De-Guinoa, 2020. "Social Life Cycle Assessment of Product Value Chains Under a Circular Economy Approach: A Case Study in the Plastic Packaging Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:16:p:6671-:d:400495
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Accorsi, Riccardo & Cascini, Alessandro & Cholette, Susan & Manzini, Riccardo & Mora, Cristina, 2014. "Economic and environmental assessment of reusable plastic containers: A food catering supply chain case study," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 88-101.
    2. Blanca Corona & Kossara P. Bozhilova†Kisheva & Stig I. Olsen & Guillermo San Miguel, 2017. "Social Life Cycle Assessment of a Concentrated Solar Power Plant in Spain: A Methodological Proposal," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(6), pages 1566-1577, December.
    3. Daniel Maga & Markus Hiebel & Venkat Aryan, 2019. "A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Meat Trays Made of Various Packaging Materials," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-18, September.
    4. Fortier, Marie-Odile P. & Teron, Lemir & Reames, Tony G. & Munardy, Dynta Trishana & Sullivan, Breck M., 2019. "Introduction to evaluating energy justice across the life cycle: A social life cycle assessment approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 236(C), pages 211-219.
    5. Erik Pauer & Bernhard Wohner & Victoria Heinrich & Manfred Tacker, 2019. "Assessing the Environmental Sustainability of Food Packaging: An Extended Life Cycle Assessment including Packaging-Related Food Losses and Waste and Circularity Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-21, February.
    6. Nicola Bellantuono & Pierpaolo Pontrandolfo & Barbara Scozzi, 2016. "Capturing the Stakeholders’ View in Sustainability Reporting: A Novel Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-12, April.
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    1. Juan Aranda & David Zambrana-Vásquez & Felipe Del-Busto & Fernando Círez, 2021. "Social Impact Analysis of Products under a Holistic Approach: A Case Study in the Meat Product Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-14, November.

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