Measuring the Circularity and Impact Reduction Potential of Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer Recycled Plastics

Anna Schulte (), Benjamin Kampmann and Christina Galafton
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Anna Schulte: Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT, 46047 Oberhausen, Germany
Benjamin Kampmann: Pöppelmann GmbH & Co. KG Kunststoffwerk-Werkzeugbau, 49393 Lohne, Germany
Christina Galafton: Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT, 46047 Oberhausen, Germany

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 16, 1-26

Abstract: Post-industrial recycling (PIR) and post-consumer recycling (PCR) are measures used to sustain resources by improving material circularity and sustainability. Currently, circularity is mainly measured as the degree of reutilization of a material from 0 to 100% at the product or company level. This measure fails to assess the resource usage over multiple product life cycles. Therefore, we propose to assess circularity as (i) the frequency of resource use in products (effective circularity, eC), and as (ii) a vehicle to reduce environmental impacts (environmentally efficient circularity, eeC). Additionally, to compare the environmental impacts of using recycled materials from PIR or PCR, we analyze their impact reduction potential (IRP), indicating the environmental benefits of recycling in relation to virgin material submitted to the market. We demonstrate the suggested indicators for a case study material: polypropylene. For this polymer type, the eC ranges between 0.93 and 9.08 uses of the resource, on average, depending on collection, sorting, and recycling rates. Likewise, the eeC ranges between 0.31 and 1.50 uses per kg of CO 2 equivalents emitted. PCR has a higher IRP regarding climate change impacts than PIR in all analyzed scenarios. The results reveal the relevance of PCR and PIR beyond the product life cycle. Finally, we discuss possible embeddings of the indicators in the assessment of climate policy and environmental protection measures, such as strengthening the use of PCR in contrast to PIR materials.

Keywords: life cycle assessment; circular economy; polypropylene; global warming impact; circularity assessment; environmental efficiency; post-industrial recycling; post-consumer recycling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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