Climate Impact of Primary Plastic Production

Опубликована: Апрель 17, 2024

Plastics show the strongest production growth of all bulk materials over last decade. The industry's current trajectory is exponential and plastic expected to double or triple by 2050. rapidly increasing plastics continued reliance on fossil fuels for production, have contributed numerous environmental problems health harms. As a result, pollution has become an threat natural ecosystems, human climate. However, there lack granularity contribution primary specifically greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions their impact remaining global carbon budget needed stay below 1.5°C 2°C average temperature rise. In this report, we explore climate change disaggregated polymer technology. To end, developed comprehensive bottom-up modeling GHG from with special focus value chains. We analyzed results under various scenarios in context budgets compatible trajectory. Modeling includes material flows stages, processes technologies used chains, including extraction required shaping final product. nine major types fuel-based polymers that are produced consumed large quantities: three polyethylene (PE) – low-density (LDPE), linear (LLDPE), high-density (HDPE) as well polypropylene (PP); terephthalate (PET); polyvinyl chloride (PVC); polystyrene (PS) other key styrene-based such styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) butadiene (ABS), polyurethane (PU). Together these account about 80% production. Our estimates generated 2.24 gigatonnes dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e) 2019, representing 5.3% total (excluding, agriculture LULUCF (Land Use, Land-Use Change Forestry)). Emissions combustion process heat electricity non-combustion processes. Approximately 22%, 21%, 15% related 2019 come PEs together, PET, PP, respectively. Other plastics, i.e., PVC, PS, SAN, ABS, PU responsible around 23% Most (~75%) occur steps prior polymerization. Under conservative scenario (2.5%/yr), would more than 4.75 GtCO2e 2050, accounting 21-26% keep increases 1.5°C. At 4%/yr growth, increase times 6.78 GtCO2e, 25-31% limiting warming Such detailed individual polymers, where chain stages fully taken into account, can provide sound technically neutral scientific foundation inform treaty enable stronger coordination treaties (e.g., United Nations Framework Convention Climate (UNFCCC). also critical understand impacts proposed mitigation measures treaty, most either polymer-specific different implications per polymer.

Язык: Английский

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Complexities of the global plastics supply chain revealed in a trade-linked material flow analysis

Communications Earth & Environment, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 6(1)

Опубликована: Апрель 10, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Polyethylene packaging and alternative materials in the United States: A life cycle assessment

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 178359 - 178359

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

A comprehensive life cycle assessment was conducted to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of polyethylene (PE) packaging and its alternatives, including paper, glass, aluminum, steel in United States. The focuses on five major applications: collation shrink films, stretch films for pallet wraps, heavy-duty sacks, non-food bottles, flexible food pouches. study compares PE alternative materials based following impact categories: global warming (GWP), fossil energy use, mineral resource water scarcity. research integrates sales volume estimates each application, examining substitution ratios PE-based GWP decrease capabilities using as material. findings reveal that substituting other can lead an average emissions approximately 70 %. This significant highlights benefits context solutions We also provide a detailed analysis trade-offs associated with alternatives. insights gained from this are intended assist stakeholders policymakers making informed decisions balance mitigation maintaining product functionality achieving sustainability objectives.

Язык: Английский

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Filling the Gaps: Tracing 12 Types of Non-commodity Plastics in China’s Plastic Socioeconomic Metabolism

Environmental Science & Technology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 10, 2025

Recent plastic flow research has largely focused on commodity plastics (PE, PP, PVC, PS, ABS), yet a sizable share of other polymer types remains understudied. These non-commodity suffer from inconsistent definitions, complex classifications, and data gaps, which hinder accurate assessment their production, use, end-of-life management. This study develops dynamic material analysis to investigate 12 key "non-commodity" in China─including PET, PU, seven engineering plastics, three thermosetting plastics─and addresses these knowledge gaps. Our results show that 2022, China produces approximately 85 million tonnes polymers, volume comparable with 35% used products the remainder non-plastic applications (e.g., fibers, rubber). PET is predominantly employed short-lifespan packaging, whereas find use longer-lifespan applications, underscoring need for targeted recycling strategies─particularly chemical PU thermoset products. Revisiting scope "plastics" using scientific criteria can help mitigate definitional ambiguities guide more effective policymaking. By improving availability tracking this underexplored category, our lays groundwork assessments interventions reduce pollution.

Язык: Английский

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Can biochar fillers advance the properties of composites? Early-stage characterization and life cycle assessment of novel polyamide/biochar biocomposites

Environmental Research, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 121446 - 121446

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Transforming pollution into solutions: A bibliometric analysis and sustainable strategies for reducing indoor microplastics while converting to value-added products

Environmental Research, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 252, С. 118928 - 118928

Опубликована: Апрель 16, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Mapping Plastic and Plastic Additive Cycles in Coastal Countries: A Norwegian Case Study

Environmental Science & Technology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 58(19), С. 8336 - 8348

Опубликована: Май 4, 2024

The growing environmental consequences caused by plastic pollution highlight the need for a better understanding of polymer cycles and their associated additives. We present novel, comprehensive top-down method using inflow-driven dynamic probabilistic material flow analysis (DPMFA) to map cycle in coastal countries. For first time, we covered progressive leaching microplastics environment during use phase products modeled presence 232 applied this methodology Norway proposed initial release pathways different compartments. 758 kt plastics distributed among 13 polymers was introduced Norwegian economy 2020, 4.4 Mt in-use stocks, 632 wasted, which 15.2 (2.4%) released with similar share macro- 4.8 ended up ocean. Our study shows tire wear rubber as highly pollutive microplastic source, while most macroplastics originated from consumer packaging LDPE, PP, PET dominant polymers. Additionally, 75 additives potentially alongside these emphasize that upstream measures, such consumption reduction changes product design, would result positive impact limiting pollution.

Язык: Английский

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Carbon Recycling of High Value Bioplastics: A Route to a Zero-Waste Future

Polymers, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 16(12), С. 1621 - 1621

Опубликована: Июнь 7, 2024

Today, 98% of all plastics are fossil-based and non-biodegradable, globally, only 9% recycled. Microplastic nanoplastic pollution is just beginning to be understood. As the global demand for sustainable alternatives conventional continues rise, biobased biodegradable have emerged as a promising solution. This review article delves into pivotal concept carbon recycling pathway towards achieving zero-waste future through production utilization high-value bioplastics. The comprehensively explores current state bioplastics (biobased and/or materials), emphasizing importance carbon-neutral circular approaches in their lifecycle. chiefly used low-value applications, such packaging single-use items. sheds light on value-added like longer-lasting components products, demanding properties, which increasingly being deployed. Based waste hierarchy paradigm—reduce, reuse, recycle—different use cases end-of-life scenarios materials will described, including technological options recycling, from mechanical chemical methods. A special emphasis common bioplastics—TPS, PLA, PHAs—as well discussion composites, provided. While it acknowledged that (waste) crisis stems largely mismanagement, needs stated radical solution must come core material side, intrinsic properties polymers formulations. manner cascaded bioplastics, labeling, legislation, technologies, consumer awareness can contribute topics this article.

Язык: Английский

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Climate Impact of Primary Plastic Production

Опубликована: Апрель 12, 2024

Plastics show the strongest production growth of all bulk materials over last decade. The industry's current trajectory is exponential and plastic expected to double or triple by 2050. rapidly increasing plastics continued reliance on fossil fuels for production, have contributed numerous environmental problems health harms. As a result, pollution has become an threat natural ecosystems, human climate. However, there lack granularity contribution primary specifically greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions their impact remaining global carbon budget needed stay below 1.5°C 2°C average temperature rise. In this report, we explore climate change disaggregated polymer technology. To end, developed comprehensive bottom-up modeling GHG from with special focus value chains. We analyzed results under various scenarios in context budgets compatible trajectory. Modeling includes material flows stages, processes technologies used chains, including extraction required shaping final product. nine major types fuel-based polymers that are produced consumed large quantities: three polyethylene (PE) – low-density (LDPE), linear (LLDPE), high-density (HDPE) as well polypropylene (PP); terephthalate (PET); polyvinyl chloride (PVC); polystyrene (PS) other key styrene-based such styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) butadiene (ABS), polyurethane (PU). Together these account about 80% production. Our estimates generated 2.24 gigatonnes dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e) 2019, representing 5.3% total (excluding, agriculture LULUCF (Land Use, Land-Use Change Forestry)). Emissions combustion process heat electricity non-combustion processes. Approximately 22%, 21%, 15% related 2019 come PEs together, PET, PP, respectively. Other plastics, i.e., PVC, PS, SAN, ABS, PU responsible around 23% Most (~75%) occur steps prior polymerization. Under conservative scenario (2.5%/yr), would more than 4.75 GtCO2e 2050, accounting 21-26% keep increases 1.5°C. At 4%/yr growth, increase times 6.78 GtCO2e, 25-31% limiting warming Such detailed individual polymers, where chain stages fully taken into account, can provide sound technically neutral scientific foundation inform treaty enable stronger coordination treaties (e.g., United Nations Framework Convention Climate (UNFCCC). also critical understand impacts proposed mitigation measures treaty, most either polymer-specific different implications per polymer.

Язык: Английский

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Polymer composites with carbon nanotubes made from CO₂

RSC Sustainability, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 2(9), С. 2496 - 2504

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024

Carbanogel, made from CO 2 , is used to make new sustainable plastics.

Язык: Английский

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