An Integrated Framework for Environmental and Social Life Cycle Assessments in PET Bottle Waste Management: A Case Study in Brazil

Eduardo J. P. Martin, Deborah S. B. L. Oliveira, Luiza S. B. L. Oliveira and Barbara S. Bezerra ()
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Eduardo J. P. Martin: Department of Production Engineering, Sao Paulo State University—UNESP, Bauru 17033-360, Brazil
Deborah S. B. L. Oliveira: Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Sao Carlos—UFSCar, Sao Carlos 13565-905, Brazil
Luiza S. B. L. Oliveira: Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Sao Carlos—UFSCar, Sao Carlos 13565-905, Brazil
Barbara S. Bezerra: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Sao Paulo State University—UNESP, Bauru 17033-360, Brazil

Waste, 2023, vol. 1, issue 3, 1-16

Abstract: The improper disposal of PET bottle waste in Brazil jeopardizes the sustainability goals, impacting the social, economic, and environmental aspects. In order to tackle this issue, this study introduces a framework that was developed using a combination of environmental and social life cycle assessments (LCAs), along with a modified Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology. Nine disposal scenarios were evaluated in Bauru, Brazil, including various combinations of landfills, sorting cooperatives, and incineration. Environmental (Env-LCA) and social (S-LCA) assessments followed the ISO 14040 standards, with the S-LCA incorporating the UNEP/SETAC guidelines. Scenario 9 was identified as the most sustainable option from the evaluated scenarios, with 100% of the waste sent to sorting cooperatives, with modified collection schemes. Conversely, Scenario 1, with a high landfill percentage, proved to be the least sustainable.

Keywords: PET bottle waste; S-LCA; LCA integration; modified AHP (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q16 Q18 Q2 Q20 Q23 Q24 Q25 Q28 Q3 Q31 Q38 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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