Assessing plastic waste green economy management via integrated life cycle environmental and costing framework

Abstract

Plastic waste (PW) mishandling is an ever-growing global conundrum that can negatively impact the environment and human health. A circular plastic economy is introduced for a sustainable systemic transition in the PW value chain. Nevertheless, life-cycle circularity in PW management remains flawed in various countries, especially when issues such as economic loopholes, externality cost negligence, and free-ridership exist in the PW value chain. To date, research conducted on scientific and standardized methodologies for circular PW management is rare. In this study, an integrated life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) methodology with two novel performance indicators: PW footprint and life cycle benefit-cost ratio (BCR) are introduced to measure the sustainability of PW management. Based on the integrated LCA-LCC methodology, the mechanical recycling pathway exhibits outstanding environmental (59-88 % environmental saving) and economic performance (412.70 US$2022 t-1 PW) with and without externality cost consideration among incineration and landfilling pathways. The research outcomes of this study shall provide scientific and green economy insights to PW value chain stakeholders in circular plastic management.