Microsoft Word - Environmental benefits of recycling 2010 update.doc

Biopolymers‐ n°4

Title
Environmental assessment of biodegradable
multilayer film derived from carbohydrate polymers
Year 2007
Author Vidal

Case

Material composition

Sub‐scenario Incinerationenergy recovery^ without^ Landfill Composting

Virgin material

Material marginal: which? / / /

Electricity marginal: which? / / /

Steam marginal: which? / / /

Co‐products dealt with? / / /

Recovered material

Material marginal: which? / / /

Electricity marginal: which? / / /

Steam marginal: which? / / /

Co‐products dealt with? / / /

Material recovery included? / / /

Type of recycling / / /

In which ratio does recycled material substitute

virgin material?

///

General

Technology no energy recovery no gas control windrow system

Infrastructures taken into account? No inf. No inf. No inf.

Transport included?

Energy production No No No

Produced energy substitutes electricity? / / /

Produced energy substitutes steam? / / /

Avoided processes ‐ credits No No

replaces peat

does not replace

inorganic fertilizers

Material substitutes No No No

Carbon sequestration issue taken into account? / Yes Yes

Waste characteristics

Heating value No inf. / /

Degradation rate (over  100  years) / 50% 50%

Incineration

Alternative use of incineration capacity included? No inf. / /

Composting

Compost spreading for composting taken into

account? //No

Compost leaching after spreading taken into

account? //No

Reference to EN 13432:2000 (Requirements for

Packaging Recoverable Through Composting and

Biodegradation)?

Landfill

Methane emissions included? / Yes /

Material

production

Material

recovery

Material

disposal

4[MUB2](MUB = Multibio)

68% starch with PCL/32% PLA