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Assessment of the Possibility of Implementing a Circular Economy by Environmental Evaluating the Life Cycle of Products Derived from Bulky Municipal Waste

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  • Agnieszka Generowicz

    (Cracow University of Technology, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland)

  • Anna Gronba-Chyła

    (Faculty of Natural and Technical Sciences, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1 H, 20-708 Lublin, Poland)

  • Piotr Godula

    (Faculty of Natural and Technical Sciences, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1 H, 20-708 Lublin, Poland)

  • Joanna Kulczycka

    (Faculty of Management, AGH University of Krakow, Gramatyka 10, 30-067 Cracow, Poland)

  • Anna Lewandowska

    (Institute of Management, Poznań University of Economics and Business, 61-875 Poznań, Poland)

  • Aneta Dorosz

    (Cracow University of Technology, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland)

  • Józef Ciuła

    (Faculty of Engineering Sciences, State University of Applied Sciences in Nowy Sącz, Zamenhofa 1A, 33-300 Nowy Sącz, Poland)

  • Paweł Kwaśnicki

    (Faculty of Natural and Technical Sciences, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1 H, 20-708 Lublin, Poland)

Abstract

Current wood waste recycling processes need to be improved to prioritize material recovery over energy recovery by cascading the use of wood waste and limiting as much as possible non-recyclable batches that may contain even partially highly contaminated grade C wood and/or Medium Density Fiberboard. In the presented research, a life cycle assessment has been carried out for a new product recovered from bulky waste. The Environmental Footprint 3.1 (adapted) method has been used to assess the potential environmental impact. The results may support a quality assessment of new products undertaken from the perspective of the circular economy and environmental management in the waste sector. The study aimed at the identification of environmental hotspots in the life cycle of the secondary wooden blocks (from cradle to market analysis). Bulky waste was subjected to recovery and recycling processes (a laboratory scale), and by adding starch and water a new product was obtained. The study has demonstrated that the production of blocks has the greatest impact on the life cycle in the following categories: Resource use, fossils (24%), Climate change (23.9%), Eutrophication, freshwater (13.3%), and Resource use, minerals and metals (11.8%). This is due to the high electricity consumption of electricity by equipment and machinery used for the processing of waste and the fabrication of the blocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Agnieszka Generowicz & Anna Gronba-Chyła & Piotr Godula & Joanna Kulczycka & Anna Lewandowska & Aneta Dorosz & Józef Ciuła & Paweł Kwaśnicki, 2025. "Assessment of the Possibility of Implementing a Circular Economy by Environmental Evaluating the Life Cycle of Products Derived from Bulky Municipal Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:8:p:3377-:d:1631918
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Małgorzata Kajda-Szcześniak & Monika Czop, 2022. "Comparison of Pyrolysis and Combustion Processes of Vinyl Floor Panels Using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TG-FTIR) in Terms of the Circular Economy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, February.
    2. Anna Kochanek & Józef Ciuła & Agnieszka Generowicz & Olena Mitryasova & Aleksandra Jasińska & Sławomir Jurkowski & Paweł Kwaśnicki, 2024. "The Analysis of Geospatial Factors Necessary for the Planning, Design, and Construction of Agricultural Biogas Plants in the Context of Sustainable Development," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-23, November.
    3. Agnieszka Nowaczek & Zygmunt Kowalski & Joanna Kulczycka & Agnieszka Makara, 2024. "Determinants of the Implementation of a Circular Economy Model in the Tire Sector in Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-20, December.
    4. Giusilene Costa de Souza Pinho & João Luiz Calmon, 2023. "LCA of Wood Waste Management Systems: Guiding Proposal for the Standardization of Studies Based on a Critical Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-18, January.
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