Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 16837 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Sustainability |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 24 |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Dec 2022 |
Abstract
The management of plastic packaging waste is advancing quickly, and new strategies are being implemented worldwide for better resource recovery. To assess the environmental benefits of new ways of handling plastic packaging waste, we need to first evaluate current waste management options in order to create a basis for comparison. In this study, the environmental impacts of plastic packaging waste handling are assessed for the first time in Iceland using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The results show that mechanical recycling, despite including the impacts of exporting the waste to different European countries, has more environmental benefits than landfilling the waste in Iceland. Increasing the recycling rates of plastic waste in Iceland is also identified as a promising option from a resource efficiency perspective. With better waste sorting, Iceland can become more environmentally sustainable, ensuring that plastic materials land in recycling processes, and thereby enhancing the flow of material in the circular economy.
Keywords
- end-of-life, Iceland, life cycle assessment, plastic packaging, plastic waste management
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Computer Science(all)
- Computer Science (miscellaneous)
- Social Sciences(all)
- Geography, Planning and Development
- Energy(all)
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Engineering(all)
- Building and Construction
- Environmental Science(all)
- Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
- Energy(all)
- Energy Engineering and Power Technology
- Computer Science(all)
- Hardware and Architecture
- Computer Science(all)
- Computer Networks and Communications
- Environmental Science(all)
- Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: Sustainability, Vol. 14, No. 24, 16837, 15.12.2022.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Plastic Packaging Waste Management in Iceland
T2 - Challenges and Opportunities from a Life Cycle Assessment Perspective
AU - Ögmundarson, Ólafur
AU - Kalweit, Laura Sophie
AU - Venkatachalam, Venkateshwaran
AU - Kristjánsdóttir, Rakel
AU - Endres, Hans-Josef
AU - Spierling, Sebastian
N1 - Funding Information: This research received funding from The University of Iceland Research Fund and Matvælasjóður (Food development fund) for the project UMMAT (2021–2022).
PY - 2022/12/15
Y1 - 2022/12/15
N2 - The management of plastic packaging waste is advancing quickly, and new strategies are being implemented worldwide for better resource recovery. To assess the environmental benefits of new ways of handling plastic packaging waste, we need to first evaluate current waste management options in order to create a basis for comparison. In this study, the environmental impacts of plastic packaging waste handling are assessed for the first time in Iceland using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The results show that mechanical recycling, despite including the impacts of exporting the waste to different European countries, has more environmental benefits than landfilling the waste in Iceland. Increasing the recycling rates of plastic waste in Iceland is also identified as a promising option from a resource efficiency perspective. With better waste sorting, Iceland can become more environmentally sustainable, ensuring that plastic materials land in recycling processes, and thereby enhancing the flow of material in the circular economy.
AB - The management of plastic packaging waste is advancing quickly, and new strategies are being implemented worldwide for better resource recovery. To assess the environmental benefits of new ways of handling plastic packaging waste, we need to first evaluate current waste management options in order to create a basis for comparison. In this study, the environmental impacts of plastic packaging waste handling are assessed for the first time in Iceland using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The results show that mechanical recycling, despite including the impacts of exporting the waste to different European countries, has more environmental benefits than landfilling the waste in Iceland. Increasing the recycling rates of plastic waste in Iceland is also identified as a promising option from a resource efficiency perspective. With better waste sorting, Iceland can become more environmentally sustainable, ensuring that plastic materials land in recycling processes, and thereby enhancing the flow of material in the circular economy.
KW - end-of-life
KW - Iceland
KW - life cycle assessment
KW - plastic packaging
KW - plastic waste management
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85144995070&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/su142416837
DO - 10.3390/su142416837
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85144995070
VL - 14
JO - Sustainability
JF - Sustainability
SN - 2071-1050
IS - 24
M1 - 16837
ER -