Publication
Title
Economic and environmental implications of policy instruments for the circular economy : a case study for postconsumer polyethylene film recycling in Europe
Author
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to examine the recycling rates for mechanical and thermochemical recycling of postconsumer polyethylene flexible packaging after the implementation of different policy instruments. The study uses a supply chain equilibrium model that incorporates market data and techno-economic assessments to simulate market equilibrium. It combines this with a life cycle assessment to explore the environmental implications of implementing different policy instruments. The results show that instruments that do not target a specific technology are more likely to increase thermochemical recycling than mechanical recycling. Furthermore, a higher recycling rate is not equivalent to a better environmental outcome. An increased collection target that ensures a supply of plastic waste would increase the overall recycling rates the most. A recycled content standard for mechanical recycling would lead to the highest increase in mechanical recycling, with top results for environmental indicators, but low results for economic indicators.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Resources, conservation and recycling. - Amsterdam
Publication
Amsterdam : 2024
ISSN
0921-3449
DOI
10.1016/J.RESCONREC.2024.107519
Volume/pages
204 (2024) , p. 1-11
Article Reference
107519
ISI
001207892000001
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
P2PC: Plasics to Precious Chemicals.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 04.03.2024
Last edited 06.11.2024
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