IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/inecol/v26y2022i1p252-271.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Comparing the environmental performance of distributed versus centralized plastic recycling systems: Applying hybrid simulation modeling to life cycle assessment

Author

Listed:
  • Piya Kerdlap
  • Aloisius Rabata Purnama
  • Jonathan Sze Choong Low
  • Daren Zong Loong Tan
  • Claire Y. Barlow
  • Seeram Ramakrishna

Abstract

The plastic waste dilemma has gained international attention because of increased public awareness and the rise of waste import bans. Sorting and recycling technologies that deal with plastic waste streams exist but face challenges in highly dense urbanized regions such as Singapore because of high space requirements. Multiple small‐scale plastic sorting and recycling facilities that are distributed closer to points of waste generation offer the possibility of increasing the recovery of plastic‐waste streams in urbanized settings. To holistically quantify the environmental performance of this type of system, a life cycle assessment (LCA) is conducted to compare five different scenarios of distributed and centralized sorting and recycling of plastic bottles and takeaway containers in Singapore. A hybrid simulation model is used to simulate the complex dynamics of waste‐processing systems which involves waste generation, collection scheduling, sorting, recycling, and disposal of residual materials. The results of the LCA showed that the life cycle environmental impacts to climate change, water depletion, and terrestrial ecotoxicity of the distributed scenarios were higher than the centralized scenarios by 7–30% depending on the impact category. Although the distributed scenarios had lower total travel distances, their reliance on commercial vans led to their higher environmental impacts than the centralized scenarios. The findings of this study provide motivation for future research in applying hybrid simulation models in LCAs of waste‐to‐resource exchange networks. The data used to carry out the hybrid simulations and the LCA are provided as Supporting Information. This article met the requirements for a Gold‐Silver JIE data openness badge described at http://jie.click/badges.

Suggested Citation

  • Piya Kerdlap & Aloisius Rabata Purnama & Jonathan Sze Choong Low & Daren Zong Loong Tan & Claire Y. Barlow & Seeram Ramakrishna, 2022. "Comparing the environmental performance of distributed versus centralized plastic recycling systems: Applying hybrid simulation modeling to life cycle assessment," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(1), pages 252-271, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:26:y:2022:i:1:p:252-271
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.13151
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13151
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1111/jiec.13151?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Janjevic, Milena & Winkenbach, Matthias & Merchán, Daniel, 2019. "Integrating collection-and-delivery points in the strategic design of urban last-mile e-commerce distribution networks," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 37-67.
    2. Brailsford, Sally C. & Eldabi, Tillal & Kunc, Martin & Mustafee, Navonil & Osorio, Andres F., 2019. "Hybrid simulation modelling in operational research: A state-of-the-art review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 278(3), pages 721-737.
    3. Jesko Schulte & Henrik Ny, 2018. "Electric Road Systems: Strategic Stepping Stone on the Way towards Sustainable Freight Transport?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-16, April.
    4. Oecd, 2018. "Improving Plastics Management: Trends, policy responses, and the role of international co-operation and trade," OECD Environment Policy Papers 12, OECD Publishing.
    5. Rigamonti, L. & Grosso, M. & Møller, J. & Martinez Sanchez, V. & Magnani, S. & Christensen, T.H., 2014. "Environmental evaluation of plastic waste management scenarios," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 42-53.
    6. Ardeshir Raihanian Mashhadi & Sara Behdad, 2018. "Environmental Impact Assessment of the Heterogeneity in Consumers’ Usage Behavior: An Agent‐Based Modeling Approach," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 22(4), pages 706-719, August.
    7. Volrad Wollny & Günter Dehoust & Uwe R. Fritsche & Peter Weinem, 2001. "Comparison of Plastic Packaging Waste Management Options: Feedstock Recycling versus Energy Recovery in Germany," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 5(3), pages 49-63, July.
    8. Kumar, Mukesh & Tsolakis, Naoum & Agarwal, Anshul & Srai, Jagjit Singh, 2020. "Developing distributed manufacturing strategies from the perspective of a product-process matrix," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 219(C), pages 1-17.
    9. Jahangirian, Mohsen & Eldabi, Tillal & Naseer, Aisha & Stergioulas, Lampros K. & Young, Terry, 2010. "Simulation in manufacturing and business: A review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 203(1), pages 1-13, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Thomas Vempiliyath & Maitri Thakur & Vincent Hargaden, 2021. "Development of a Hybrid Simulation Framework for the Production Planning Process in the Atlantic Salmon Supply Chain," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-17, September.
    2. Mielczarek, Bożena & Zabawa, Jacek, 2021. "Modelling demographic changes using simulation: Supportive analyses for socioeconomic studies," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    3. Piya Kerdlap & Aloisius Rabata Purnama & Jonathan Sze Choong Low & Daren Zong Loong Tan & Claire Y. Barlow & Seeram Ramakrishna, 2023. "Life cycle cost analysis of distributed versus centralized plastic sorting and recycling," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(1), pages 297-311, February.
    4. Christian Wankmüller & Maximilian Kunovjanek & Robert Gennaro Sposato & Gerald Reiner, 2020. "Selecting E-Mobility Transport Solutions for Mountain Rescue Operations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-19, December.
    5. Bassey, Uduak & Sarquah, Khadija & Hartmann, Michael & Tom, Abasi-ofon & Beck, Gesa & Antwi, Edward & Narra, Satyanarayana & Nelles, Michael, 2023. "Thermal treatment options for single-use, multilayered and composite waste plastics in Africa," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    6. Das, Saikat & Bose, Indranil & Sarkar, Uttam Kumar, 2023. "Predicting the outbreak of epidemics using a network-based approach," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 309(2), pages 819-831.
    7. Opacic, Luke & Sowlati, Taraneh & Mobini, Mahdi, 2018. "Design and development of a simulation-based decision support tool to improve the production process at an engineered wood products mill," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 209-219.
    8. Zhou, Wei & Zhang, Keang & Zhang, Ying & Duan, Yunlong, 2021. "Operation strategies with respect to insurance subsidy optimization for online retailers dealing with large items," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 232(C).
    9. André Ferreira & Ana L. Ramos & José V. Ferreira & Luís P. Ferreira, 2024. "Simulation of Hospital Waste Supply Chain in the Context of Industry 4.0—A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-20, July.
    10. Nguyen, Le Khanh Ngan & Howick, Susan & Megiddo, Itamar, 2024. "A framework for conceptualising hybrid system dynamics and agent-based simulation models," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 315(3), pages 1153-1166.
    11. Antoine Beylot & Antoine Hochar & Pascale Michel & Marie Descat & Yannick Ménard & Jacques Villeneuve, 2018. "Municipal Solid Waste Incineration in France: An Overview of Air Pollution Control Techniques, Emissions, and Energy Efficiency," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 22(5), pages 1016-1026, October.
    12. Bouslah, B. & Gharbi, A. & Pellerin, R., 2016. "Integrated production, sampling quality control and maintenance of deteriorating production systems with AOQL constraint," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 110-126.
    13. Kokkinou, Alinda & Quak, Hans & Mitas, Ondrej & Mandemakers, Albert, 2024. "Should I wait or should I go? Encouraging customers to make the more sustainable delivery choice," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    14. Walzberg, Julien & Dandres, Thomas & Merveille, Nicolas & Cheriet, Mohamed & Samson, Réjean, 2020. "Should we fear the rebound effect in smart homes?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    15. Sarah Schmidt & David Laner, 2023. "The environmental performance of plastic packaging waste management in Germany: Current and future key factors," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(6), pages 1447-1460, December.
    16. Rui Ren & Wanjie Hu & Jianjun Dong & Bo Sun & Yicun Chen & Zhilong Chen, 2019. "A Systematic Literature Review of Green and Sustainable Logistics: Bibliometric Analysis, Research Trend and Knowledge Taxonomy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-25, December.
    17. Maxim A. Maron, 2018. "Diagnostics of Projects," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(1), pages 18-30.
    18. Navonil Mustafee & Korina Katsaliaki & Paul Fishwick, 2014. "Exploring the modelling and simulation knowledge base through journal co-citation analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 98(3), pages 2145-2159, March.
    19. Bergmann, Felix M. & Wagner, Stephan M. & Winkenbach, Matthias, 2020. "Integrating first-mile pickup and last-mile delivery on shared vehicle routes for efficient urban e-commerce distribution," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 26-62.
    20. Carayannis, Elias G. & Grigoroudis, Evangelos & Wurth, Bernd, 2022. "OR for entrepreneurial ecosystems: A problem-oriented review and agenda," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 300(3), pages 791-808.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:26:y:2022:i:1:p:252-271. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=1088-1980 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.