Carbon Footprint LCA Recycled vs Virgin Plastics
Life Cycle Assessment comparing recycled and virgin plastics demonstrates significant environmental benefits for recycled materials across most impact categories.
Carbon Footprint Comparison
| Material | kg CO2e/tonne | Reduction |
|---|---|---|
| Virgin HDPE | 1,800 | – |
| Recycled HDPE | 600 | 67% |
| Virgin PP | 1,900 | – |
| Recycled PP | 700 | 63% |
| Virgin PC | 3,500 | – |
| Recycled PC | 900 | 74% |
LCA Methodology
System Boundary
Gate-to-gate for recycling processes, cradle-to-gate for virgin production comparison.
Allocation Methods
System expansion preferred over credit allocation for accuracy.
Key Factors Affecting Results
- Collection distance and efficiency
- Processing energy consumption
- Contamination levels
- End-of-life scenarios
Verification Standards
ISO 14040/14044 provides framework for LCA methodology. Third-party verification enhances credibility for ESG reporting.
Transparent LCA data supports environmental claims and customer sustainability requirements.