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Exploring the potential of chemical recycling using a distributed model in the UK – A life cycle assessment perspective
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Researchers conducted a life cycle assessment of small-scale, decentralized pyrolysis plants converting mixed plastic waste into naphtha in the UK, finding that chemical recycling reduces climate change impacts by up to 2,977 kg CO2-equivalent per tonne compared to virgin plastic production. While promising as a complement to mechanical recycling for complex waste streams, the study notes ongoing challenges with by-product environmental impacts and the need for policy support.
The study investigates the potential of chemical recycling of plastic waste in the UK, specifically through a small-scale, decentralised pyrolysis process that incorporates in-situ upgrading. With rising plastic production and limited capacity for mechanical recycling, chemical recycling (CR) emerges as a complementary solution for handling complex waste streams, such as multi-layered or contaminated plastics. The research focuses on the life cycle assessment (LCA) of a 165 kg/hr plant designed to convert mixed plastic waste (MPW) into naphtha, which can be used as a substitute of virgin petroleum feedstock in the production of plastic films. The LCA evaluates both waste and product perspectives, comparing chemical recycling with conventional waste management methods, including incineration with energy recovery (waste-to-energy) and a mixed end-of-life scenario (waste perspective) and with virgin plastic film (product perspective). Results show that chemical recycling significantly reduces climate change impacts-by 1284 kg CO2-eq./tonne compared to waste-to-energy and by 430 kg CO2-eq./tonne against the mixed end-of-life option. From the product perspective, chemically recycled naphtha results in up to 2977 kg CO2-eq./tonne or 636 kg CO2-eq./tonne lower impacts compared to virgin plastic production. The study highlights the use of small-scale, decentralised CR plants, however, challenges remain, such as the environmental impacts of by-products. The research concludes that chemical recycling offers a viable pathway to greenhouse gas emissions reductions compared to conventional waste management and virgin plastic production, albeit with interlinked trade-offs observable in other impact categories, highlighting that further optimisation and policy support are essential.
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This study used life cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental impact of converting plastic waste into fuel through pyrolysis. The findings suggest pyrolysis can reduce plastic waste in landfills while generating usable energy, though careful emission management is required.
Environmental Evaluation of Chemical Plastic Waste Recycling: A Life Cycle Assessment Approach
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This paper is not relevant to microplastics research; it performs a life cycle assessment of chemical recycling of plastic waste via pyrolysis in Spain, concluding the process produces lower carbon emissions than fossil diesel, but the focus is on industrial energy recovery rather than microplastic environmental impacts.
Analysis of Infrastructures for Processing Plastic Waste using Pyrolysis-Based Chemical Upcycling Pathways
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Researchers modeled a national pyrolysis-based plastic upcycling infrastructure in the United States and found it could generate nearly $20 billion in economic value, achieve 34% plastic-to-plastic circularity, and yield significant environmental benefits over landfilling and incineration for post-consumer mixed plastic waste.
Chemical Recycling of Plastic Waste: Comparative Evaluation of Environmental and Economic Performances of Gasification- and Incineration-based Treatment for Lightweight Packaging Waste
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Chemical recycling of lightweight plastic packaging waste via gasification was compared to incineration with energy recovery using life cycle assessment and economic analysis, finding that gasification offered some environmental advantages but at higher cost and with significant technology readiness uncertainties. The study provides a comparative evaluation to inform decisions about complementary roles for chemical and mechanical recycling in plastic waste management.
Life Cycle Assessment of Recycling High-Density Polyethylene Plastic Waste
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Researchers used Life Cycle Assessment to compare landfill, incineration, and mechanical recycling of high-density polyethylene plastic waste, finding that increased recycling substantially reduces energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and carcinogen releases while diminishing demand for virgin plastic production.
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