Advancing Sustainable Energy: Environmental and Economic Assessment of Plastic Waste Gasification for Syngas and Electricity Generation Using Life Cycle Modeling

Muhammad Hassan Javed, Anees Ahmad, Mohammad Rehan, Farayi Musharavati, Abdul-Sattar Nizami () and Mohammad Ilyas Khan
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Muhammad Hassan Javed: Sustainable Development Study Centre, Government College University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Anees Ahmad: Sustainable Development Study Centre, Government College University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Mohammad Rehan: Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies (CEES), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Farayi Musharavati: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
Abdul-Sattar Nizami: Sustainable Development Study Centre, Government College University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Mohammad Ilyas Khan: Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-23

Abstract: The explosion of plastic waste generation, approaching 400 million tons per year, has created a worldwide environmental crisis that conventional waste management systems cannot handle. This problem can be solved through gasification, which converts nonrecyclable plastics to syngas with potential applications in electricity generation and synthetic fuel production. This study investigates whether syngas production from plastic waste by gasification is environmentally and economically feasible. Environmental impacts were assessed through a life cycle assessment framework using a life cycle impact assessment approach, ReCiPe 2016, with 10 midpoint/endpoint categories. Midpoint results of the baseline scenario with grid-mix electricity revealed climate change (GWP) of 775 kg CO 2 equivalent and fossil depletion potential (FDP) of 311 kg oil equivalent per ton of plastic waste. Meanwhile, a solar scenario showed GWP as 435 kg CO 2 equivalent and FDP as 166 kg oil equivalent per ton of plastic waste. Switching to solar energy cut GWP 44% and FDP 47%, respectively. However, the tradeoffs were higher human toxicity potential (HTP) and marine ecotoxicity potential (METP) due to upstream material extraction of renewable systems, respectively. Among environmental performance drivers, electricity inputs and operating materials were identified through sensitivity and uncertainty analyses. Syngas production from a plant of 50 tons per day can yield electricity sales revenue of USD 4.79 million, excluding USD 4.05 million in operational expenditures. Financial indicators like a 2.06-year payback period, USD 5.32 million net present value over a 20-year project life, and 38.2% internal rate of return indicate the profitability of the system. An external cost analysis showed emissions-related costs of USD 26.43 per ton of plastic waste processed, dominated by CO 2 and NO x emissions. Despite these costs, the avoided impacts of less landfilling/incineration and electricity generation support gasification. Gasification should be promoted as a subsidy and incentive by policymakers for wider adoption and integration into municipal waste management systems. Findings show it can be adapted to global sustainability goals and circular economy principles while delivering strong economic returns. The study findings also contribute to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for instance, SDG 7 by promoting clean energy technologies, SDG 12 by implementing circular economy, and SDG 13 by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Keywords: gasification; life cycle assessment; plastic waste; sustainability; synthetic gas (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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