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The Environmental Impact of Collecting and Processing Abandoned Shopping Trolleys in the UK

Author

Listed:
  • Neill Raath

    (WMG, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK)

  • Darren J. Hughes

    (WMG, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK)

Abstract

Significant numbers of shopping trolleys are taken out of service through abandonment each year, leading to negative environmental, economic, and social impacts. These impacts have been discussed qualitatively in the literature; however, quantitative analysis of the environmental impacts is lacking. We performed a life-cycle assessment (LCA) of the manufacturing and subsequent abandonment, collection through diesel vans, and refurbishment of shopping trolleys in the Canley suburban area of Coventry city, UK. We found that manufacturing one shopping trolley had a global warming impact of 65.14 kg CO 2 equivalent. The impact of collecting one trolley and returning it to the originating supermarket was 0.69 kg CO 2 equivalent. Finally, the impact of transporting and refurbishing one trolley was 5.50 kg CO 2 equivalent. These results show the major benefits of either collection or refurbishment over manufacturing new trolleys to replace abandoned ones. An observation is made that one trolley would have to be collected 93 times to offset its own manufacturing impact. The work also highlights the impact of abandonment. An estimated 520,000 abandoned trolleys in the UK every year lead to 343 tons CO 2 equivalent through van collection only. If 10% of these trolleys required refurbishment, the impact would increase to 652 tons CO 2 equivalent.

Suggested Citation

  • Neill Raath & Darren J. Hughes, 2025. "The Environmental Impact of Collecting and Processing Abandoned Shopping Trolleys in the UK," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-25, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2692-:d:1615034
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Marmiroli, Benedetta & Venditti, Mattia & Dotelli, Giovanni & Spessa, Ezio, 2020. "The transport of goods in the urban environment: A comparative life cycle assessment of electric, compressed natural gas and diesel light-duty vehicles," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    2. Jose Luis Osorio-Tejada & Eva Llera-Sastresa & Sabina Scarpellini, 2024. "Environmental assessment of road freight transport services beyond the tank-to-wheels analysis based on LCA," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(1), pages 421-451, January.
    3. Boldrini, Annika & Koolen, Derck & Crijns-Graus, Wina & van den Broek, Machteld, 2024. "The impact of decarbonising the iron and steel industry on European power and hydrogen systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 361(C).
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