Evaluating Plastic Waste Management in EU Accession Countries: A Life Cycle Perspective from the Republic of Serbia with Microplastic Implications

Dunja Prokić (), Jasna Stepanov, Ljiljana Milošević, Biljana Panin, Nataša Stojić and Mira Pucarević
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Dunja Prokić: Faculty of Environmental Protection, Educons University in Sremska Kamenica, 21208 Sremska Kamenica, Serbia
Jasna Stepanov: Faculty of Environmental Protection, Educons University in Sremska Kamenica, 21208 Sremska Kamenica, Serbia
Ljiljana Milošević: Faculty of Environmental Protection, Educons University in Sremska Kamenica, 21208 Sremska Kamenica, Serbia
Biljana Panin: Faculty of Environmental Protection, Educons University in Sremska Kamenica, 21208 Sremska Kamenica, Serbia
Nataša Stojić: Faculty of Environmental Protection, Educons University in Sremska Kamenica, 21208 Sremska Kamenica, Serbia
Mira Pucarević: Faculty of Environmental Protection, Educons University in Sremska Kamenica, 21208 Sremska Kamenica, Serbia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-19

Abstract: EU accession countries, including the Republic of Serbia, are under growing pressure to align their plastic waste management systems with EU environmental directives. Despite this, significant challenges remain, including inadequate infrastructure, a limited recycling capacity, and weak enforcement mechanisms. This study employs life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging waste in Serbia, focusing on three end-of-life scenarios (EoL): landfilling, recycling, and incineration. Using GaBi Professional v6.0 software and the ReCiPe 2016 methodology, the results indicate that mismanaged PET waste contributes notably to terrestrial ecotoxicity (3.69 kg 1.4-DB eq.) and human toxicity (non-cancer) (2.36 kg 1.4-DB eq.). In 2023, 14,967.8 tons of PET were collected by authorized operators; however, unreported quantities likely end up in landfills or the natural environment. Beyond the quantified LCA results, this study highlights microplastic pollution as an emerging environmental concern. It advocates for the development of Serbia-specific characterization factors (CFs) for PET microplastics, incorporating localized fate, exposure, and effect data. Tailored CFs would enhance the precision of impact assessments for Serbian terrestrial ecosystems, contributing to more effective, evidence-based environmental policies. These insights are crucial for supporting Serbia’s transition to sustainable waste management and for meeting EU environmental standards.

Keywords: plastic; waste; life cycle assessment; polyethylene terephthalate; microplastics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:14:p:6297-:d:1698049

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