Challenges of Comparative Life Cycle Impact Assessment and Terrestrial Eco-toxicity Measurement. A Case Study of Fossil-based Pet Versus Its Recycled and Bio-based Counterparts

• Autorzy: Magdalena Rybaczewska-Błażejowska , Angel Mena-Nieto
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Purpose: The primary goal of this research is to compare the results of the LCIA phase based on the 2008 and 2016 versions of the ReCiPe method at the midpoint level and to identify interpretation problems related to the measurement of terrestrial ecotoxicity. The aspiration, however, is to support the scientifically and technically sound development of LCIA methods that provide reliable and reproducible results. Design/methodology/approach: Life cycle assessment (LCA) was applied to compare the environmental performance of fossil-based PET plastic and its two increasingly used alternatives, i.e. recycled PET (rPET) and bio-based polylactic acid (PLA). Data for modelling was retrieved from the ecoinvent database (3.6), SimaPro (release 9.1). The results of LCIA are presented at the midpoint level with both ReCiPe2008 and ReCiPe2016, with a hierarchist (H) perspective. Findings: Although the research showed some differences in the LCIA results performed with ReCiPe 2008 and ReCiPe2016, there is a general convergence of results, except for the terrestrial ecotoxicity. Thus, rPET has the best environmental profile across the range of impact categories analysed, with few exceptions (human toxicity: cancer and non-cancer, freshwater ecotoxicity and marine ecotoxicity), regardless of the version of the ReCiPe method. The use of ReCiPe2016 leads to significant differences in the results of terrestrial ecotoxicity compared to the use of ReCiPe2008. The contribution analysis at the level of inventory results shows that there is a discrepancy in substances contributing to a given terrestrial ecotoxicity score. Originality/value: The variation in results using ReCiPe2008 and its updated version ReCiPe2016 does not substantially change the conclusions obtained, except for the terrestrial ecotoxicity category. For practitioners, this means that further research and clarification on the modelling of terrestrial ecotoxicity is necessary as to achieve the best available practice. (original abstract)

Słowa kluczowe

EN

Circular economy; Life cycles; Life Cycle Assessment (LCA); Plastics; Recycling; Polyethylene

PL

Gospodarka zamkniętego obiegu; Cykl życia; Ocena cyklu życia; Tworzywa sztuczne; Recykling; Polietylen

• Czasopismo: Zeszyty Naukowe. Organizacja i Zarządzanie / Politechnika Śląska
• Rocznik: 2023
• Numer: z. 183
• Strony: 523--533

Twórcy

autor

Magdalena Rybaczewska-Błażejowska

• Kielce University of Technology

autor

Angel Mena-Nieto

• University of Huelva, School of Engineering, Spain

Bibliografia

• 1. Acero, A.P., Rodríguez, C., Ciroth, A. (2015). LCIA methods. Impact assessment methods in Life Cycle Assessment and their impact categories. https://www.openlca.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/LCIA-METHODS-v.1.5.4.pdf.
• 2. Bueno, C., Hauschild, M.Z., Rossignolo, J.A., Ometto, A.R., Mendes, N.C. (2016). Sensitivity analysis of the use of life cycle impact assessment methods: a case study on building materials. Journal of Cleaner Production, 112, 2208-2220.
• 3. Ecoinvent Centre (2019). https://ecoinvent.org/the-ecoinvent-database/data-releases/ecoinvent-3-6/
• 4. Goedkoop, M. Heijungs, R., Huijbregts, M., de Schryver, A., Struijs, J., van Zelm, R. (2013). ReCiPe 2008. A life cycle impact assessment method which comprises harmonized category indicators at the midpoint and the endpoint level. First edition (version 1.08) Report I: Characterisation. The Netherlands: Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment.
• 5. Hauschild, M.Z., Rossignolo, J.A., Ometto, A.R., Mendes, N.C. (2016). Sensitivity analysis of the use of life cycle impact assessment methods: a case study on building materials. Journal of Cleaner Production, 112, 2208-2220.
• 6. Hauschild, M.Z., Huijbregts, M.A.J. (2015). Life Cycle Impact Assessment. Springer Science+Business Media.
• 7. Huijbregts, M.A.J., Steinmann, Z.J.N., Elshout, P.M.F., Stam, G., Verones, F., Vieira, M., Zijp, M., Hollander, A., van Zelm, R. (2016). ReCiPe2016. A harmonized life cycle impact assessment method at midpoint and endpoint level. Report I: Characterisation. RIVM Report 2016- 0104. Bilthoven: National Institute for Human Health and the Environment.
• 8. ISO (2006a). International Standard ISO 14040. Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Principles and framework.
• 9. ISO (2006b). International Standard ISO 14044. Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Requirements and guidelines.
• 10. Rybaczewska-Błażejowska, M. (2019). Eco-innovation and eco-efficiency in the frame of life cycle assessment. Kielce: Kielce University of Technology.
• 11. Rybaczewska-Błażejowska, M., Mena-Nieto, A. (2020). Circular economy: comparative life cycle assessment of fossil polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and its recycled and bio-based counterparts. Management and Production Engineering Review, 11(4), 121-128.
• 12. Rybaczewska-Błażejowska, M., Sulerz, A. (2017). LCA as a tool for assessing product and process oriented eco-innovations by enterprises. Management and Production Engineering Review, 8(3), 60-69.

Identyfikatory

DOI

10.29119/1641-3466.2023.183.32