Microsoft Word - Environmental benefits of recycling 2010 update.doc

Plastics‐ n°8

Title

Kunststoffe aus nachwachsenden Rohstoffen:
Vergleichende Ökobilanz für Loose‐fill‐Packmittel
aus Stärke bzw. Polystyrol
Year 2002
Author BIfA/IFEU/Flo‐Pak
Impact assessment
CML

Incineration with energy

recovery

Feedstock recycling (recycling

scenario from case PS1)

Mechanical closed‐loop

recycling (recycling scenario

from case PS2)

Mechanical open‐loop recycling
(recycling scenario from case
PS3)
Depletion of abiotic resources (kg Sb eq)
Climate change (kg CO 2  eq) 1970 1770 1230 970
Cumulative energy demand (MJ)* 25000 27000 16000 10000
Water consumption (m^3 )
Terrestrial eutrophication (kg PO4 eq) 0,74 0,82 0,43 0,30
Aquatic eutrophication (kg PO4 eq) 0,0063 0,0061 0,0016 ‐0,0002
Acidification (kg SO2 eq) 6,20 8,80 4,90 3,40
Photochemical oxidation (kg ethylene eq) 10,50 10,50 10,10 10,10
Ozone depletion (kg N2O eq) ‐0,078 0,036 0,033 0,039
Toxicity (kg  1 ‐ 4 ‐dichlorobenzene)

• The energy demand in this study corresponds to the consumption of fossil energy resources
  Indicator not included

8  [PS]

100  m^3 of PS

Methodology

Full life cycle