Cascade use indicators for selected biopolymers: Are we aiming for the right solutions in the design for recycling of bio-based polymers?

Abstract

When surveying the trends and criteria for the design for recycling (DfR) of bio-based polymers, priorities appear to lie in energy recovery at the end of the product life of durable products, such as bio-based thermosets. Non-durable products made of thermoplastic polymers exhibit good properties for material recycling. The latter commonly enjoy growing material recycling quotas in countries that enforce a landfill ban. Quantitative and qualitative indicators are needed for characterizing progress in the development towards more recycling friendly bio-based polymers. This would enable the deficits in recycling bio-based plastics to be tracked and improved. The aim of this paper is to analyse the trends in the DfR of bio-based polymers and the constraints posed by the recycling infrastructure on plastic polymers from a systems perspective. This analysis produces recommendations on how life cycle assessment indicators can be introduced into the dialogue between designers and recyclers in order to promote DfR principles to enhance the cascading use of bio-based polymers within the bioeconomy, and to meet circular economy goals.

Stakeholders’ Interests and Perceptions of Bioeconomy Monitoring Using a Sustainable Development Goal Framework

“…Moreover, the global dimensions and interconnections of a present and future BE are rarely addressed, and international collaborations play a minor role in these national rather than international strategies [4]. These are major shortcomings, since the vast majority of European countries also have not yet achieved Paris Agreement goals [20] and ecological as well as social risks and chances [7,[21][22][23] result from an intensified and increased use of biobased resources, especially the shift of risks to other countries through imports and global market effects [24,25]. However, it should be the goal of a global BE to meet several big societal challenges [26] and to address a series of SDGs [27].…”

Rheological, Thermal, Superficial, and Morphological Properties of Thermoplastic Achira Starch Modified with Lactic Acid and Oleic Acid

“…Nowadays, the use of plastic materials derived from petroleum has generated a negative environmental impact [1,2]; from this reason was born the necessity to use polymers obtained from renewable sources as a great alternative as packaging materials in single-use products, due to their biodegradation or compostability [3,4]. According to the latest market data collected by European Bioplastics and Nova-Institute [5], the global production capacity of bio-based plastic packaging materials will increase by 2022 in 20% (2.45 million tons) [6,7]. Some biopolymers such as cellulose, poly (lactic acid), starch, chitosan, and poly (hydroxyalkanoates) have been modified aiming to develop barriers to various gases, moisture, and even microorganisms [8].…”

Hybridised sustainability metrics for use in life cycle assessment of bio-based products: resource efficiency and circularity

“…• BASF Eco-efficiency; 5 • Dow's Chemical Index; 6 • Green chemistry and other resource efficiency metrics; [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] • Portfolio Sustainability Assessment (PSA) methodology; 15 • Ellen MacArthur Foundation-Material Circularity. 16 Review of these methodologies stresses the currently needed trajectory for sustainable development towards a resource-efficient circular economy, whilst highlighting significant gaps in the existing environmental assessment approaches.…”