Life-cycle analysis packaging

LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS OF RECYCLING AND RECOVERY OF HOUSEHOLDS PLASTICS WASTE PACKAGING MATERIALS. SUMMARY REPORT APME... 

In the past decades, polymer materials have been continuously replacing more traditional materials such as paper, metal, glass, stone, wood, natural fibres and natural rubber in the fields of clothing industry, E E components, automotive materials, aeronautics, leisure, food packaging, sports goods, etc. Without the existence of suitable polymer materials progress in many of these areas would have been limited. Polymer materials are appreciated for their chemical, physical and economical qualities including low production cost, safety aspects and low environmental impact (cf. life-cycle analysis). 

Factors associated with the life-cycle analysis of the packaging include ... 

APME (Association of Plastics Manufacturers in Europe) Life Cycle Analysis of Recycling and Recovery of Household Plastics Waste Packaging Materials. Summary Report (1995). 

F. Lox (ed.). Waste Management—Life Cycle Analysis of Packaging, Final Report. Study Realised by the Consortium Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Vlaamse Inslclling voor Tech-nologisch Onderzoek, Belgian Packaging Institute, for the European Commission, DG XI/A/4, 1994. 

Life cycle analysis is expected to help in the long term the environmental aspects associated with the future of packaging. Life cycle assessment can also be applied. However, each involves factors which are difficult to accurately quantify. 

The life cycle analysis includes raw material acquisition, production, processing and disposal of the loose fills as well as transport. Packaging, distribution, use and collection are not considered due to the dependency of these processes on the respective bulk buyers and retailers. 

Life-cycle analysis of plastics resins themselves is outside the scope of this chapter (see Chapter 3). Our focus is the additional environmental impact associated with the conversion of plastics resins to packaging materials and the use and disposal of these materials. 

A life cycle analysis or life cycle assessment (LCA) is a detailed technical study of the environmental consequences of a product, production process, package, or activity (done) holistically, across its entire life cycle [13]. The time frame of such an analysis is often termed cradle-to-grave. ... 

The main parameter adjusted to allow for bad fuel quality is turbine inlet temperature. It is lowered. Frequently, this prompts a choice of a different model of gas turbine or combined cycle (gas turbine/steam turbine) package. Additional features, such as water/steam injection and fuel treatment, may have to be added before life-cycle analysis indicates an economically targeted value for component lives, TBOs, and so forth. See example case history 3. 

Contracts were awarded in March 2000, and preliminary EDPs were drafted by the technology providers in June 2000. Each EDP includes drawings and documentation, a preliminary hazards analysis, and projected life-cycle costs and schedules for the technology package to be implemented at a particular site. The final EDPs were released in December 2000. Experimental tests to support the EDPs were begun in June 2000, but some had not been completed when this report was prepared. Einal reports are expected to be published in mid-2001. 

The Association of Plastics Manufacturers in Europe (APME) has produced a series of ecoprofile reports on various plastics, including packaging materials. APME adopted the term ecoprofile since the analysis extends only to the point of sale and does not cover disposal. Also, the reports do not include the impact or improvement portions of life-cycle assessment. The reports are publicly available on the association website, www.apme.org and are updated periodically. 

Franklin Associates, Ltd. Impact of plastics packaging on life cycle energy consumption greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and substitution analysis. Prairie Village Franklin Associates, Ltd 2014. 

Williams H, Williams FW. Environmental impact of packaging and food losses in a life cycle perspective a comparative analysis of five food items. J Clean Prod 2011 19 43 8. 

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