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Plastic Solid Waste (PSW) in the Context of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Sustainable Management

Author

Listed:
  • Ana Antelava

    (London South Bank University, Division of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, School of Engineering)

  • Spyridon Damilos

    (University College London (UCL), Department of Chemical Engineering)

  • Sanaa Hafeez

    (London South Bank University, Division of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, School of Engineering)

  • George Manos

    (University College London (UCL), Department of Chemical Engineering)

  • Sultan M. Al-Salem

    (Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Environment & Life Sciences Research Centre)

  • Brajendra K. Sharma

    (University of Illinois, Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, Prairie Research Institute)

  • Kirtika Kohli

    (University of Illinois, Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, Prairie Research Institute)

  • Achilleas Constantinou

    (London South Bank University, Division of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, School of Engineering
    University College London (UCL), Department of Chemical Engineering)

Abstract

Over the past few decades, life cycle assessment (LCA) has been established as a critical tool for the evaluation of the environmental burdens of chemical processes and materials cycles. The increasing amount of plastic solid waste (PSW) in landfills has raised serious concern worldwide for the most effective treatment. Thermochemical post-treatment processes, such as pyrolysis, seem to be the most appropriate method to treat this type of waste in an effective manner. This is because such processes lead to the production of useful chemicals, or hydrocarbon oil of high calorific value (i.e. bio-oil in the case of pyrolysis). LCA appears to be the most appropriate tool for the process design from an environmental context. However, addressed limitations including initial assumptions, functional unit and system boundaries, as well as lack of regional database and exclusion of socio-economic aspects, may hinder the final decision. This review aims to address the benefits of pyrolysis as a method for PSW treatment and raise the limitations and gaps of conducted research via an environmental standpoint.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Antelava & Spyridon Damilos & Sanaa Hafeez & George Manos & Sultan M. Al-Salem & Brajendra K. Sharma & Kirtika Kohli & Achilleas Constantinou, 2019. "Plastic Solid Waste (PSW) in the Context of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Sustainable Management," Environmental Management, Springer, vol. 64(2), pages 230-244, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:envman:v:64:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s00267-019-01178-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s00267-019-01178-3
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