The Role of Renewable-Derived Plastics in the Analysis of Waste Management Schemes: A Time-Dependent Carbon Cycle Assessment

Cristina Aracil, Ángel L. Villanueva Perales, Jacopo Giuntoli, Jorge Cristóbal and Pedro Haro ()
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Cristina Aracil: Bioenergy Group, Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería, Universidad de Sevilla, Camino de los Descubrimientos s/n, 41092 Seville, Spain
Ángel L. Villanueva Perales: Bioenergy Group, Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería, Universidad de Sevilla, Camino de los Descubrimientos s/n, 41092 Seville, Spain
Jacopo Giuntoli: Independent Researcher, 51016 Montecatini Terme, Italy
Jorge Cristóbal: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Via E. Fermi 2749, 21027 Ispra, Italy
Pedro Haro: Bioenergy Group, Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería, Universidad de Sevilla, Camino de los Descubrimientos s/n, 41092 Seville, Spain

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-21

Abstract: Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is an essential greenhouse gas removal (GGR) technology used to achieve negative emissions in bioenergy plants using biomass feedstock (Bio-CCS). In this study, the climate mitigation potential of a novel GGR technology consisting in the production of renewable-derived plastics from municipal solid waste (MSW) refuse has been evaluated. This novel GGR technology allows for carbon storage, for variable periods, in stable materials (plastics), and thus overcomes the technical limitations of CCS. A time-dependent carbon cycle assessment has been conducted based on the Absolute Global surface Temperature change Potential (AGTP) metric. This new method to assess carbon emissions is presented against a traditional life cycle assessment (LCA). The production of renewable-derived plastics proves to be an effective GGR technology for both landfill- and incineration-dominant countries in Europe. The results obtained encourage the implementation of renewable-derived plastics in Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) to assess their global potential in forecasting scenarios to achieve the ambitious climate change targets set in the European Union. Thanks to this study, a novel approach toward a green and sustainable economy has been established. This study will help to fill the gaps between bioenergy and renewable materials production.

Keywords: plastics; greenhouse house removal; waste-to-energy; dynamic carbon cycle assessment; waste management; Bio-CCS (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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