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Comparative life cycle GHG emissions of single-use plastic cups and reusable cups for beverages
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Researchers compared the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of single-use plastic cups against reusable alternatives for beverages, finding that reusable cups have lower per-use emissions after a modest number of wash cycles, but that the break-even point depends heavily on washing method and use frequency.
Single-use plastic (SUP) products are widely used due to their convenience and low cost, with SUP cups being particularly prevalent in coffee shops and fast-food restaurants. This study estimates SUP cup consumption and evaluates their environmental impacts, focusing on global warming, through a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA). Five scenarios (S1-S5) were set and compared with conventional SUP cups. Results indicate that 5.8 billion SUP cups were consumed in coffee shops and fast-food restaurants in South Korea in 2022, equating to 113 cups per person annually. The global warming potential (GWP) for the baseline scenario (S1) was 8.12 kgCO2eq per functional unit, with SUP polymer production being the largest contributor. Scenario 5 (S5), involving a 25% substitution with reusable plastic cups and tumblers, achieved a 20% GWP reduction compared to S1. However, increased raw material use, energy demands, and cleaning processes for reusable cups led to higher burdens on land use and mineral extraction. It was found that reuse rate of reusable cups significantly influenced the results. This study highlights the effectiveness of deposit return scheme (DRS) and reusable cup policies, providing essential data to guide regulatory measures that mitigate SUP cup impacts and promote sustainable alternatives.
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Life cycle assessment of reusable plastic food packaging
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Researchers conducted a life cycle assessment of reusable takeaway food containers, finding that a container needs only six uses to outperform single-use packaging on global warming potential, with the carbon footprint dropping 83% at 100 uses compared to single-use, though return system efficiency strongly influences these environmental gains.
The Impacts of Single-use Plastics - A Life Cycle Assessment
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This life cycle assessment study compared the global warming potential of plastic and compostable single-use eating and drinking utensils, finding that product weight and material composition were the primary drivers of climate impact across the full lifecycle. Researchers found that compostable alternatives did not consistently have lower climate impacts than conventional plastics. The study highlights trade-offs that complicate simple single-use plastic substitution policies.
Good coffee, bad cup: How to curb ocean plastic pollution by switching to refill and reuse solutions
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This report analyzes the environmental impact of single-use coffee cups in Denmark and makes the case for switching to reusable cup systems. Single-use plastic-lined cups are among the top littered items in Denmark and contribute to microplastic pollution in coastal environments.
Applying Material Flow Analysis for Sustainable Waste Management of Single-Use Plastics and Packaging Materials in the Republic of Korea
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This study applies material flow analysis (MFA) to trace the movement of materials through waste management systems, identifying inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement. By quantifying inputs, outputs, and losses at each stage, MFA provides a data-driven foundation for designing more sustainable waste management strategies. The approach helps policymakers and practitioners prioritize interventions that reduce environmental impact and resource loss.
Life Cycle Assessment of Selected Single-Use Plastic Products towards Evidence-Based Policy Recommendations in Sri Lanka
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Researchers applied life cycle assessment to common single-use plastic products in Sri Lanka, quantifying their environmental impacts across production to disposal and providing evidence-based recommendations to guide national plastic pollution policy.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.