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This chapter explores the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to the plastic circular economy and the importance of capturing the environmental impacts of plastic additives to facilitate holistic planning of transitions to circular plastics. Through a review of the principal LCA methodologies, we explore which LCA approaches are the most applicable to circular economy planning. We then examine the role of additives in calculating plastic material’s environmental impacts and the challenges in their inclusion. Advocating for a tailored stepwise approach, we outline a path forward for increasing the transparency of additives within LCAs of circular plastics. Furthermore, this approach prioritizes the transition to safe and sustainable material selection for a circular plastics economy, which avoids regrettable substitutions and aligns with both the Planetary Boundaries and the Sustainable Development Goals: Consumption and Production (goal 12), Climate Action (goal 13), Life on Land (goal 14), Life Below Water (goal 15), Good Health and Well-Being (goal 3), as well as Decent Work and Economic Growth (goal 8).

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Accounting for Additive Impacts in Circular Plastic Life Cycles

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2025年

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  • Heather Logan,
  • Manon Lisiecki,
  • Anders Damgaard

摘要

This chapter explores the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to the plastic circular economy and the importance of capturing the environmental impacts of plastic additives to facilitate holistic planning of transitions to circular plastics. Through a review of the principal LCA methodologies, we explore which LCA approaches are the most applicable to circular economy planning. We then examine the role of additives in calculating plastic material’s environmental impacts and the challenges in their inclusion. Advocating for a tailored stepwise approach, we outline a path forward for increasing the transparency of additives within LCAs of circular plastics. Furthermore, this approach prioritizes the transition to safe and sustainable material selection for a circular plastics economy, which avoids regrettable substitutions and aligns with both the Planetary Boundaries and the Sustainable Development Goals: Consumption and Production (goal 12), Climate Action (goal 13), Life on Land (goal 14), Life Below Water (goal 15), Good Health and Well-Being (goal 3), as well as Decent Work and Economic Growth (goal 8).