DOCSLIB.ORG

Operational Sustainability Metrics: a Case of Electronics Recycling By

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Operational Sustainability Metrics: a Case of Electronics Recycling By Operational Sustainability Metrics: A Case of Electronics Recycling by Jennifer Robinson Atlee B.S. in Environmental Science Brown University, 1999 Submitted to the Engineering Systems Division and the Department of Material Science and Engineering in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degrees of Master of Science in Technology and Policy and Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology June 2005 2005 Massachusetts Institute of Technology All rights reserved. Signature of Author…………………………………………………………………………… Department of Material Science & Engineering, and the Engineering Systems Division February 11, 2005 Certified by…………………………………………………………………………………… Randolph E. Kirchain, Jr. Assistant Professor of Materials Science & Engineering and Engineering Systems Thesis Supervisor Accepted by…………………………………………………………………………………... Gerbrand Ceder R. P. Simmons Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Chair, Departmental Committee on Graduate Students Accepted by…………………………………………………………………………………... Dava J. Newman Associate Professor of Aeronautics & Astronautics and Engineering Systems Director, Technology and Policy Program (this page intentionally left blank) 2 Operational Sustainability Metrics: A Case of Electronics Recycling by Jennifer Robinson Atlee Submitted to the Engineering Systems Division and the Department of Material Science and Engineering on February 11, 2005, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degrees of Master of Science in Technology and Policy and Master of Science in Materials Science & Engineering Abstract In the past 15 years corporations and governments have developed a growing appreciation of the need for “sustainability” and have worked the term into their goals, strategy and mission statements. Despite extensive efforts to define the term, there is still little clarity on how to move toward sustainability or measure improvements. Further advances toward sustainability will require system specific metrics to assess both current performance and the impact of operational, technological or regulatory changes on that performance. Not only are there currently few operational metrics by which to practically assess progress toward sustainability, there is also very little understanding of how to judge the effectiveness of such metrics. Electronics recycling is used in this thesis as a case problem in developing and evaluating system specific performance metrics for sustainability. Electronics recycling is a growing national and international concern due to the increasing volume of waste, the potential toxicity of the scrap, and reports of improper handling and disposal. Despite this concern, there is limited understanding about the electronics recycling system. There is a need for systematic ways to describe system functioning and quantitative methods to assess system performance. Existing evaluations of eco-efficiency or sustainability are either too aggregated to guide operational decisions or too complex and data intensive to be performed in the context of a low-margin system. A range of performance metrics were developed and assessed for several electronics recycling operators. These included measures of resource recovery and environmental performance. These metrics were assessed for their ability to provide insights on resource efficiency comparable to more complex indicators, with minimal data required beyond that collected for normal business operations. The informative value of these metrics, their ability to capture system behavior, and the similarity between evaluations using different metrics were compared. Recovery effectiveness results for three US Electronic recycling operators are presented based on several quantitative indicators. Results show that current simple measures such as “mass percent to landfill” are not sufficient to fully assess system performance. Composite indicators of systems performance can provide valuable insights even using currently available data collected by operators for business purposes. Thesis Supervisor: Randolph E. Kirchain, Jr. Title: Assistant Professor of Materials Science & Engineering and Engineering Systems 3 Acknowledgements To Erica Fuchs who has been my ‘main man’ through this process Anup Bandivadekar, for the many exuberant arguments, philosophical and otherwise Colleen Akehurst with whom I spent the first two years at TPP reminding each other we weren’t insane – and that yes, the world still exists outside of MIT, really. Kate Parrot for getting me into this mess to begin with - It’s been an interesting ride, no doubt. The “crew” in VT and friends in the Pioneer Valley for providing a haven and a reminder of how good life can be. The NJ women for helping me stay centered and keep my own little life in perspective. Walley Williams for providing a welcoming and understanding home and the perspective of an engineer at the other side of a long and loved career. Marko Packard and also Chris Page for seeing me through this process and, at times, putting up with the worst of me. My family, of course, for providing an infinite well of support and constant cheering squad. Sydney Miller for all that she does in keeping TPP running and all of us in it on track. The lab group (Randy, Jackie, Julie, Jeremy) each of whom has also been an individual help, with Jeremy an unexpected and critical support as advisor, editor, and colleague. Joel, Frank, and Randy for encouraging me to go for the dual MS. Frank, for perspective. And Randy, for collaborating, advising, and believing in me when I didn’t. 4 Table of Contents 1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................11 1.1 Sustainability – Why it Matters..................................................................................11 1.2 Metrics for Sustainability...........................................................................................12 1.3 Electronics Recycling – Metrics to Evaluate an Industry............................................13 1.4 Central Questions (thesis roadmap)............................................................................14 1.5 Research Methods and Data Collection......................................................................16 1.6 Relevance of This Work ............................................................................................16 2. Sustainability Metrics........................................................................................................19 2.1 Defining Sustainability ..............................................................................................19 2.2 Measuring Sustainability ...........................................................................................20 2.3 Proposed Sustainability Metrics and Frameworks......................................................24 2.4 Criteria for Metrics....................................................................................................26 2.4.1 Useful....................................................................................................................28 2.4.2 Robust ...................................................................................................................29 2.4.3 Feasible .................................................................................................................31 2.4.4 Additional Criteria of Significance.........................................................................31 2.5 Summary...................................................................................................................33 3. Electronics Recycling........................................................................................................35 3.1 How Much of a Problem? EoL in Perspective............................................................36 3.1.1 Life Cycle Impact ..................................................................................................36 3.1.2 Material System.....................................................................................................37 3.1.3 Waste System ........................................................................................................38 3.1.4 Improvement Potential:..........................................................................................40 3.2 Recycling System ......................................................................................................41 3.3 Recycling Process......................................................................................................42 3.4 Economics: Recycling System Market Dynamics ......................................................46 3.5 Environment..............................................................................................................48 3.5.1 Hazardous Materials ..............................................................................................49 3.6 Regulatory Frameworks.............................................................................................53 3.6.1 USA Framework....................................................................................................53 3.6.2 Overseas Activities ................................................................................................54 3.6.3 International Agreements.......................................................................................55 3.7 Summary...................................................................................................................56
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Five Principles of Waste Product Redesign Under the Upcycling Concept
    International Forum on Energy, Environment Science and Materials (IFEESM 2015) Five Principles of Waste Product Redesign under the Upcycling Concept Jiang XU1 & Ping GU1 1School of Design, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China KEYWORD: Upcycling; Redesign principle; Green design; Industrial design; Product design ABSTRACT: It explores and constructs the principles of waste product redesign which are based on the concept of upcycling. It clarifies the basic concept of upcycling, briefly describes its current development, deeply discusses its value and significance, combines with the idea of upcycling which behinds regeneration design principle from the concept of “4R” of green design, and takes real-life case as example to analyze the principles of waste product redesign. It puts forward five principles of waste product redesign: value enhancement, make the most use of waste, durable and environmental protection, cost control and populace's aesthetic. INTRODUCTION Recently, environmental problems was becoming worse and worse, while as a developing country, China is facing dual pressures that economical development and environmental protection. However, large numbers of goods become waste every day all over the world, but the traditional recycling ways, such as melting down and restructuring, not only produce much CO2, but also those restruc- tured parts or products cannot mention in the same breath with raw ones. As a result, the western countries started to center their attention to the concept of “upcycling” of green design, which can transfer the old and waste things into more valuable products to vigorously develop the green econ- omy. Nevertheless, this new concept hasn’t been well known and the old notion of traditionally inef- ficient reuse still predominant in China, so it should be beneficial for our social development to con- struct the principles of waste products’ redesign which are based on the concept of upcycling.
    [Show full text]
  • End-Of-Life Modelling
    Best Practice LCA: End-of-Life Modelling October 28, 2014 Agenda 1. Modelling EoL in LCA 2. Recycled content approach 3. Avoided burden approach 4. Value-corrected substitution 5. PE’s recommendations 6. Current PEF discussions 2 Modelling EoL in LCA 3 Modelling EoL in LCA General challenge • “Allocation” is commonly used to assign burdens associated with the upstream supply chain to each product of multi-output processes. • EoL modelling gives rise to a similar problem due to its multi-functionality – treat waste and produce valuable products (material and/or energy) • Focus on how the burden of virgin material production and the burden of EoL treatment be allocated between the first application in one product system and its subsequent application in the same or another product system. • Chosen allocation approach will affect modelling of other EoL pathways as well (e.g., landfill). 4 Modelling EoL in LCA Most common approaches • Recycled content approach (a.k.a. cut-off, 100/0) • Avoided burden approach (a.k.a. End-of-Life recycling, 0/100) • Value-Corrected Substitution 5 Recycled content approach 6 Recycled content approach General description • Scrap inputs to the product system are modelled as being free of any primary material burden (all assigned to the first life cycle). • The recycling of scrap generated by the product system is not part of the product system and the system boundary is drawn at the point of scrap generation. No credits for subsequent recycling. • When modelling other disposal processes (e.g., incineration with energy recovery, landfill with landfill gas capture), burdens are included, but no credits should be given for energy recovery.
    [Show full text]
  • Subject Index
    Index 2-opt 287, 288, 291, 293 arc 18, 19, 240–242, 260, 280–284, 335, 368, 369 architecture 45, 58, 61, 65, 68, 74, 75, 77, A 93, 103, 236, 274, 277, 375, 376, 422 as-good-as-new 458, 460, 462 a priori data 267, 270, 271, 273, 297, 305 assembly 25, 26, 48, 49, 55, 58, 64, 73, 74, absolute technical importance rating 84, 86, 101, 118, 229–231, 237, 239, 243, (ATIR) 131, 133–135 245, 249, 250, 256, 259, 278, 306–309, abundance 20, 218 312, 313, 316, 328, 329, 332–339, 343, accumulation 20–22, 282, 426 351, 356–361, 365, 371, 391, 416, 423, activity modeling 45, 46 424, 474, 510 actor 9, 41, 42, 54, 56, 82, 114 assembly line balancing 239, 256, 259, acquisition 93, 102, 103, 225, 232, 234, 278, 306–309, 343 291, 385, 445, 446, 449, 452, 453, 455, asset management 459, 496, 497 457, 458, 461–465, 466, 510 attitude 3, 139, 140, 219, 223, 237, 455, 457, adaptability 347, 415, 430 458, 466, 524 adaptation 16, 62, 64, 66, 67, 69, 102, 356, automotive 222, 388–391, 411, 446, 449, 368, 392, 408, 422, 442 456–458, 466, 468, 474 adaptive disassembly process planning autonomous barrier 521 363, 375 adaptive kanban 314, 329 adaptive learning 375, 378, 379 B adjacent element hill climbing (AEHC) 236, 238, 240, 242, 274, 285, 287–290 backlog cost 477, 483 after-sale product condition Basel Action Network (BAN) 500, 506 monitoring 92 Basel convention 498, 499, 501, 503 aggregation 2, 11, 16–18 Bayesian forecasting 223, 224 analytic hierarchy process (AHP) 105, Bayesian updating 105, 110, 124–129, 212 110, 115–118, 197, 205, 212, 214 beginning of life
    [Show full text]
  • A Review on Upcycling: Current Body of Literature, Knowledge Gaps and a Way Forward
    Venice Italy Apr 13-14, 2015, 17 (4) Part I A Review on Upcycling: Current Body of Literature, Knowledge Gaps and a Way Forward Kyungeun Sung related books have been published since 1999.1 Most books Abstract—Upcycling is a process in which used materials are (96%; 115 out of 120 books) in the sample were published converted into something of higher value and/or quality in their between 2008 and 2014 with higher publication rate between second life. It has been increasingly recognised as one promising 2012 and 2014 as 62.5% of all samples (75 books between means to reduce material and energy use, and to engender sustainable 2012 and 2014; 21 books in 2012; 28 in 2013; and 26 in production and consumption. For this reason and other foreseeable benefits, the concept of upcycling has received more attention from 2014). 53% (64/120) of the sampled books are categorised as numerous researchers and business practitioners in recent years. This ‘craft and hobbies’ whereas the other book categories show has been seen in the growing number of publications on this topic similar percentages (art & design: 10%; house & home DIY: since the 1990s. However, the overall volume of literature dealing 10%; science & technology: 9%; business & economics: 8%; with upcycling is still low and no major review has been presented. and the rest as miscellaneous).2 The theses search on Google Therefore, in order to further establish this field, this paper analyses Scholar simultaneously conducted by the author showed a and summarises the current body of literature on upcycling, focusing similar recent surge of publication: 90% (37/41) of these in the on different definitions, trends in practices, benefits, drawbacks and 3 barriers in a number of subject areas, and gives suggestions for future sample (since 2001) were published between 2009 and 2014.
    [Show full text]
  • Sorting of Automotive Manufacturing Wrought Aluminum Scrap
    Sorting of Automotive Manufacturing Wrought Aluminum Scrap A Major Qualifying Project Submitted to the Faculty of Worcester Polytechnic Institute in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree in Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering By Shady J. Zummar Ghazaleh Date: 04/26/2018 Sponsoring Organization: Metal Processing Institute Approved by: ________________________________________ Professor Diran Apelian Alcoa-Howmet Professor of Engineering, Advisor Founding Director of Metal Processing Institute Abstract An increase of 250% in wrought aluminum usage in automotive manufacturing is expected by 2020. Consequently, the generation of new aluminum sheet scrap will also increase. Producing secondary aluminum only emits 5% of the CO2 compared to primary aluminum – a significant 95% decrease. With the advent of opto-electronic sorting technologies, recovery and reuse of new aluminum scrap (generated during manufacturing) is at hand. A series of interviews with industrial experts and visits to automotive stamping plants were performed in order to identify: (i) the most common wrought aluminum alloys from which scrap is generated; (ii) the present scenario — how scrap is collected today; and (iii) the types of contamination that must be accounted for during and after sortation. Recommendations are made herein that will support the development of an optimized scrap management system including sorting criteria that will enable closed loop recycling. 2 Table of Contents Abstract 2 Table of Contents 3 Acknowledgements 5 1 Introduction
    [Show full text]
  • Upgrading Construction and Demolition Waste Management from Downcycling to Recycling in the Netherlands
    Journal of Cleaner Production 266 (2020) 121718 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Cleaner Production journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jclepro Upgrading construction and demolition waste management from downcycling to recycling in the Netherlands * Chunbo Zhang a, Mingming Hu a, b, , Xining Yang a, Brenda Miranda-Xicotencatl a, Benjamin Sprecher a, Francesco Di Maio c, Xiaoyang Zhong a, Arnold Tukker a, d a Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, 2300, RA, Leiden, Netherlands b School of Management Science and Real Estate, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 40045, China c Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, 2628, CN, Delft, the Netherlands d Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research TNO, 2595, DA, Den Haag, Netherlands article info abstract Article history: Urban mining from construction and demolition waste (CDW) is highly relevant for the circular economy Received 30 April 2019 ambitions of the European Union (EU). Given the large volumes involved, end-of-life (EoL) concrete is Received in revised form identified as one of the priority streams for CDW recycling in most EU countries, but it is currently largely 10 February 2020 downcycled or even landfilled. The European projects C2CA and VEEP have proposed several cost- Accepted 13 April 2020 effective technologies to recover EoL concrete for new concrete manufacturing. To understand the po- Available online 22 April 2020 tential effects of large-scale implementation of those recycling technologies on the circular construction, Handling editor: Yutao Wang this study deployed static material flow analysis (MFA) for a set of EoL concrete management scenarios in the Netherlands constructed by considering the development factors in two, technological and temporal Keywords: dimensions.
    [Show full text]
  • E-Waste Management
    E-waste Management "E-waste" is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful life. "E-wastes are considered dangerous, as certain components of some electronic products contain materials that are hazardous, depending on their condition and density. The hazardous content of these materials pose a threat to human health and environment. Discarded computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, fax machines, electric lamps, cell phones, audio equipment and batteries if improperly disposed can leach lead and other substances into soil and groundwater. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled in an environmentally sound manner so that they are less harmful to the ecosystem. This paper highlights the hazards of e-wastes, the need for its appropriate management and options that can be implemented. INTRODUCTION Industrial revolution followed by the advances in information technology during the last century has radically changed people's lifestyle. Although this development has helped the human race, mismanagement has led to new problems of contamination and pollution. The technical prowess acquired during the last century has posed a new challenge in the management of wastes. For example, personal computers (PCs) contain certain components, which are highly toxic, such as chlorinated and brominated substances, toxic gases, toxic metals, biologically active materials, acids, plastics and plastic additives. The hazardous content of these materials pose an environmental and health threat. Thus proper management is necessary while disposing or recycling ewastes. These days computer has become most common and widely used gadget in all kinds of activities ranging from schools, residences, offices to manufacturing industries.
    [Show full text]
  • "Sustainable Materials Management"?
    Briefing Paper: What are “Sustainable Materials” and “Sustainable Materials Management”? October 4, 2011 Primary Authors: David Allaway & Peter Spendelow What is a sustainable level of material or resource consumption? The 1994 Oslo Symposium on Sustainable Consumption defined "sustainable consumption" as: "the use of services and related products which respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials as well as the emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle of the service or product so as not to jeopardize the needs of future generations." While useful conceptually, the previous definition may be difficult to apply in practice. When it comes to materials, is it possible to define in more detail the meaning of “sustainable materials management”? How would we know if a material (and its management) actually is “sustainable”? What would be the attributes of such a material? More broadly, how would we know if any action is sustainable? Various thinkers and organizations have proposed a variety of answers to these questions – sometimes specific to materials, other times about sustainability more broadly. This paper briefly introduces six different responses, and summarizes some of the advantages and limitations of each. The six responses are: • William McDonough and Michael Braungart’s “Cradle to Cradle” and philosophy of “Waste Equals Food” • Zero Waste • The Natural Step • The Ecological Footprint • The Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s “Definition of Sustainable Packaging” • Internalizing Externalities / Least-Cost Planning Cradle to Cradle and “Waste Equals Food” Summary: Architect William McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart popularized the theory of “Cradle to Cradle,” explained in their 2002 book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things.
    [Show full text]
  • Recycling Plastic: Complications & Limitations
    Eureka Recycling is a nonprofit organization, created by the Saint Paul Neighborhood Energy Consortium, that specializes in recycling and waste reduction and manages Saint Paul’s recycling program. Our mission is to reduce waste today through innovative resource management and to reach a waste-free tomorrow by demonstrating that waste is preventable not inevitable. We believe that our resources are valuable—like gold—and our goal is to provide you with an opportunity to conserve them. Recycling Plastic: Complications & Limitations Plastic is light, easy to store and transport, comes in an endless variety of textures and shapes and can hold almost anything. Those properties make it attractive to manufacturers and packagers, who use it for anything from ketchup bottles to disposable utensils. Unfortunately, plastic is much more difficult to recycle than materials like glass, aluminum or paper. Most plastic soon ends up in a landfill or incinerator. Despite promotion of plastic recycling, plastic production has outpaced recycling by five times over the past decade. While increased plastic recycling is one way to alleviate this problem, it has only limited potential to reduce the glut of plastic waste. Resin Codes Don’t Equal Recyclability The Plastic Numbering System Most plastic packaging is marked with a Almost all plastic products are imprinted with a resin code — a small resin code to identify the basic type of number enclosed by the “chasing arrows” symbol. This code can be chemical compound used in the product. This code is usually found on misleading, since it is not intended to indicate that the plastic is the bottom of the container.
    [Show full text]
  • Exploration of the Role of Extended Producer Responsibility for the Circular Economy in the Netherlands
    Exploration of the Role of Extended Producer Responsibility for the circular economy in the Netherlands June 27th 2016 Table of contents 1 Introduction 3 2 EPR & routes for optimization 5 3 Extend the scope of EPR regulation to new products and waste streams 6 3.1 EPR in neighboring regions 6 3.2 Criteria for EPR implementation 10 3.3 Relevance of new EPR obligations in the Netherlands 13 4 Deepen the scope of EPR within regulated waste streams 18 5 Strengthen the financial EPR incentives for eco-design 23 5.1 Weight 25 5.2 Design for recycling 25 5.3 Presence of hazardous materials 26 5.4 Durability (lifetime) of products 27 5.5 Prevention 27 5.6 Repairability 28 5.7 Recycled content 29 6 Conclusions and following steps 30 7 References 33 8 Appendix 1: interviews 37 9 Appendix 2: countries 41 10 Appendix 3: feedback of VPN (in Dutch) 48 Notes 52 Total number of pages: 54 Page 2 Version No. Date Status To 5 27 June 2016 Final concept Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment, Hans Spiegeler Authors: Maarten Dubois (EY Belgium), Diana de Graaf (EY Netherlands), Joachim Thieren (EY Belgium) Acknowledgements: The authors thank Roeland Bracke, Peter Borkey, Paul Rotteveel, Eelco Smit and Charline Ducas for their collaboration and feedback. This report does not necessarily represent their opinion and the content of the study is the sole responsibility of the authors. Page 3 1 Introduction Already in the ’70s and ’80s, the Netherlands have positioned themselves as frontrunners in the management of waste and secondary resources.
    [Show full text]
  • Extended Producer Responsibility in a Non-Oecd Context
    EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY IN A NON-OECD CONTEXT: THE MANAGEMENT OF WASTE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT IN INDIA PANATE MANOMAIVIBOOL, THOMAS LINDHQVIST, NAOKO TOJO REPORT COMMISSIONED BY GREENPEACE INTERNATIONAL ©Behring/Greenpeace Colophon © August 2007 Lund University International Institute for Industrial and Environmental Economics P.O. Box 196 221 00 Lund Sweden ISBN: 987-91-88902-41-2 Cover photo: Greenpeace/Behring Design: Pé de Wit Print: Macula, Boskoop, Netherlands Produced on recycled chlorine-free paper Migrant workers take apart electric devices in Guiyu, China. 2 PROLOGUE BY GREENPEACE INTERNATIONAL Greenpeace International commissioned this report to test how This is where governments have to step in. EPR laws for e-waste the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for waste implemented globally would level the playing fi eld for the electro- from electronics equipment (e-waste), embodied in EU, Japanese, nics sector – which after all is a global industry. As priority, South Korean and other OECD (Organisation for Economic and governments should not only copy the EU Directives, but learn Co-operation Development) legislation could be applied effectively from their shortfalls and pass stronger regulations. in countries outside of the OECD. Many developing countries host production facilities where Greenpeace believes that laws requiring producers to take res- workers are exposed to the same harmful substances that are later ponsibility for their products, once discarded by their customers, found in the products. There is increasing evidence of even wider are urgently needed worldwide to tackle the global e-waste crisis. worker and community exposure to the toxic chemicals in e-waste Although China has restricted hazardous substances in some when it comes to be recycled.
    [Show full text]
  • Compostable Plastics: CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES
    Compostable plastics: CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES Dr. Love-Ese Chile Dr. Chile’s Biases and Values I’m a… Researcher Evidence-based decision-making Consultant Conversation, communication and collaboration Millennial Honesty, transparency, radical forward thinking We face global challenges. No time to wait, no time for waste. 3 Alternative visions for tomorrow 4 Regenerative Systems restore, renew or revitalize their own sources of energy and materials 5 Plastics have transformed how we live, work & eat 6 What makeso a plastic? Polymer = Greek for “many parts” Plastics are made from longo chains called polymers Polymers are made from singleo units called monomers All plastics are polymers BUT Not all polymers are plastics POLYMER DEFORMABLE? REFORMABLE? Plastics ✔️ ✔️ Rubbers ✔️ ❌ Resins ❌ ❌ Single use products and packaging – Often in contact with food and other organic matter making useful separation difficult Short term use products and packaging – Often in contact with liquids, gels, powders Plastics are COMPLEX Consumer products – EveryEveryday day products products Engineering plastics – Highly durable, made for specific applications Food Loss & Waste 28% of food is wasted each year 35.5 million • Major economic losses metric tonnes • Wasted natural resources of food waste: • GHG increased for no value Planned Packaging reduces food waste by: Unplanned • Maintaining freshness, nutritional value and safety 32% 68% • Efficiently containing and protecting • Delivering portion control and resealability Gooch, M., Bucknell, D., LaPlain, D., Dent, B., Whitehead, P., Felfel, A., Nikkel, L., Maguire, M. (2019). The Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste: Technical Report; Value Chain Management International Environmental impacts of plastic packaging • 40% of plastics produced globally are used in packaging • Often too difficult to sort & clean; only 14% collected for recycling Ellen McArthur Foundation, 2016.
    [Show full text]