Microsoft Word - Environmental benefits of recycling 2010 update.doc

Other indicators

Acidification

From the table below, it is evident that, for those studies that present results on acidification, recycling is better
than incineration, which is better than landfill.

Table 15 Ranking of end-of-life options within each scenario for acidification

Case Recycling

Incineration

with energy

recovery

Landfill

1[PB] +++ ++ + +++ best option

3[PS] +++ ++ + ++ intermediary option

3[EN] +++ ++ + + worst option

option not assessed

Acidification

(kg SO2 eq)

Studies n° 2,  4  and  5  do not include this indicator

Photochemical oxidation

According to the existing results, landfill appears to be the worst option, while recycling has a minor advantage
compared to incineration

Table 16 Ranking of end-of-life options within each scenario for photochemical oxidation

Case Recycling

Incineration

with energy

recovery

Landfill

2[NS] ++ +++ +

2[CC] ++ +++ + +++ best option

2[MC] +++ ++ + ++ intermediary option

3[PS] +++ ++ + + worst option

3[EN] +++ + ++ option not assessed

Photochemical

oxydation

(kg ethylene

eq)

Studies n° 1,  4  and  5  do not include this indicator

Eutrophication

Unfortunately, only one study includes eutrophication in the impact categories. In this study, for both materials
analysed, landfill seems to be the best option.

Table 17 Ranking of end-of-life options within each scenario for eutrophication

Case Recycling

Incineration

with energy

recovery

Landfill

3[PS] + ++ +++

3[EN] ++ + +++

Eutrophication

(kg PO4 eq)

Studies n° 1, 2,  4  and  5  do not include this indicator

Human Toxicity

With one exception, recycling is classified as the best option, while landfill is the worst in terms of human toxicity.

Table 18 Ranking of end-of-life options within each scenario for human toxicity

Case Recycling

Incineration

with energy

recovery

Landfill

2[NS] +++ ++ +

2[CC] +++++++++ best option

2[MC] +++ ++ + ++ intermediary option

3[PS] +++ ++ + + worst option

3[EN] +++ ++ + option not assessed

Human Toxicity

(kg 1,4‐DB eq)

Studies n° 1,  4  and  5  do not include this indicator

+++ best option

++ intermediary option

+ worst option

option not assessed