|
For countries with adequate space and little recycling infrastructure,
disposing of bottles in landfill generates a lower carbon
footprint than recycling or incineration.
SRI Consulting (SRIC)
has published - 'PET’s Carbon Footprint: To Recycle or
Not To Recycle' - an independent evaluation of the carbon
footprint of PET bottles with an analysis of secondary packaging
from cradle-to-grave and from production of raw materials
through to disposal.
Recycling programs using kerb-side collection typically displace
less than 50% of new PET (polyethylene terephthalate). Community
programs with plastic bottle take-back, mandated separate
collection, or deposits on bottles tend to report much higher
displacement rates. For regions that already have a recycling
infrastructure, the aim should be to boost recycled PET (rPET)
displacement of virgin PET (vPET) significantly above 50%.
Mike Arné, Assistant Director, SRIC’s Carbon Footprint Initiative
commented - “The key to this is not in raising collection
rates, but in improving yields - especially in sorting and,
to a lesser extent, in reprocessing. For countries without
a recycling infrastructure, the best choice may well be to
landfill bottles.”
The report finds -
- Shipping distances are not footprint critical
Contrary to some popular belief, the common practice of
shipping baled PET bottles to China for recycling does not
significantly affect the footprint;
- Incineration creates the highest footprint
Burning used bottles in waste incinerators converts them
largely to the greenhouse-gas carbon dioxide, which then
goes straight into the atmosphere. This footprint debit
can be reduced somewhat by generating power and heat from
the incinerator, but the net effect is still carbon positive;
- PET recyclate has a lower footprint than new virgin
PET
Manufacturers making product from recycled PET - such as
straps, films and fibers - should be able to claim that
they are lower-carbon than alternatives made from new PET.
The study draws on SRIC’s deep knowledge of chemicals and
plastics production, as well as its renowned Carbon Footprint
Yearbook. This report provides an unbiased and transparent
analysis that has been independently developed. It is thoroughly
documented for those interested in the details of the analysis.
The report should be of interest to producers and users of
PET as well as regulators and policymakers.
For additional information about PET’s Carbon Footprint:
To Recycle or Not To Recycle - Click
Here
|
