Environment and economic impacts assessment of PET waste recycling with conventional and renewable sources of energy

Abstract

The use of large amount of plastic has created environment threats and thus it needs to be recycled. The recycling of plastic waste requires energy but the energy production with conventional sources depletes the natural resources and creates environmental degradation. This study aims to assess and compare the environmental and economic impacts from the recycling of PET plastic bottle waste with conventional and renewable sources of electricity in India. An experiment is conducted wherein the PET bottle waste is used to make filament for 3-D printing by using three different scenarios. Scenario A uses the virgin PET granules with conventional Indian electricity mix, scenario B uses PET bottle waste recycling with conventional Indian electricity mix, and scenario C uses PET bottle waste recycling with solar electricity. The ISO 14040 guidelines are followed to conduct cradle-to-grave LCA for scenario A; and grave to grave LCAs for scenarios B & C. The impact categories considered for the endpoint assessment are ecosystem quality, human health and resources. Climate change, fossil depletion, human toxicity, ozone depletion, terrestrial acidification, and water depletion are considered for midpoint assessment. The results of the study show that scenario B has high environmental impacts followed by scenarios C & A. The findings of this experimental study suggest the use of renewable energy (solar electricity) for recycling of PET bottle waste for filament production. The limitation of the study is that it’s a region specific experiment for environmental and economic impacts.