IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/recore/v105y2015ipap186-197.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Greenhouse gas emission factors for recycling of source-segregated waste materials

Author

Listed:
  • Turner, David A.
  • Williams, Ian D.
  • Kemp, Simon

Abstract

A key challenge for the waste management sector is to maximise resource efficiency whilst simultaneously reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. For stakeholders to better understand the GHG impacts of their waste management activities and identify emissions reduction opportunities, they need to be able to quantify the GHG impacts of material recycling. Whilst previous studies have been undertaken to develop GHG emission factors (EF) for materials recycling, they are generally insufficient to support decision-making due to a lack of transparency or comprehensiveness in the range of materials considered. In this study, we present for the first time a comprehensive, scientifically robust, fully transparent, and clearly documented series of GHG EFs for the recycling of a wide range of source-segregated materials. EFs were derived from a series of partial life cycle assessments (LCA) performed as far as possible in accordance with the ISO 14040 standard. With the exceptions of soil, plasterboard, and paint, the recycling of source-segregated materials resulted in net GHG savings. The majority of calculated GHG EFs were within the range of data presented in the literature. The quality of secondary data used was assessed, with the results highlighting the dearth of high quality life cycle inventory (LCI) data on material reprocessing and primary production currently available. Overall, the results highlight the important contribution that effective source-segregated materials recycling can have in reducing the GHG impacts of waste management.

Suggested Citation

  • Turner, David A. & Williams, Ian D. & Kemp, Simon, 2015. "Greenhouse gas emission factors for recycling of source-segregated waste materials," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 105(PA), pages 186-197.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:105:y:2015:i:pa:p:186-197
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2015.10.026
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344915301245
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.resconrec.2015.10.026?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
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Björklund, Anna & Finnveden, Göran, 2005. "Recycling revisited—life cycle comparisons of global warming impact and total energy use of waste management strategies," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 44(4), pages 309-317.
    2. Cellura, Maurizio & Longo, Sonia & Mistretta, Marina, 2011. "Sensitivity analysis to quantify uncertainty in Life Cycle Assessment: The case study of an Italian tile," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(9), pages 4697-4705.
    3. Merrild, Hanna & Damgaard, Anders & Christensen, Thomas H., 2008. "Life cycle assessment of waste paper management: The importance of technology data and system boundaries in assessing recycling and incineration," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 52(12), pages 1391-1398.
    4. Sevigné-Itoiz, Eva & Gasol, Carles M. & Rieradevall, Joan & Gabarrell, Xavier, 2014. "Environmental consequences of recycling aluminum old scrap in a global market," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 94-103.
    5. Franchetti, Matthew & Kilaru, Prabhu, 2012. "Modeling the impact of municipal solid waste recycling on greenhouse gas emissions in Ohio, USA," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 107-113.
    6. Fitzgerald, Garrett C. & Krones, Jonathan S. & Themelis, Nickolas J., 2012. "Greenhouse gas impact of dual stream and single stream collection and separation of recyclables," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 50-56.
    7. Lazarevic, David & Aoustin, Emmanuelle & Buclet, Nicolas & Brandt, Nils, 2010. "Plastic waste management in the context of a European recycling society: Comparing results and uncertainties in a life cycle perspective," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(2), pages 246-259.
    8. Brogaard, Line K. & Damgaard, Anders & Jensen, Morten B. & Barlaz, Morton & Christensen, Thomas H., 2014. "Evaluation of life cycle inventory data for recycling systems," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 30-45.
    9. David Lazarevic & Emmanuelle Aoustin & Nicolas Buclet & Nils Brandt, 2010. "Plastic Waste Management in the context of a European recycling society," Post-Print halshs-00584531, HAL.
    10. Manfredi, Simone & Tonini, Davide & Christensen, Thomas H., 2011. "Environmental assessment of different management options for individual waste fractions by means of life-cycle assessment modelling," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(11), pages 995-1004.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Choi, Taelim, 2017. "Environmental impact of voluntary extended producer responsibility: The case of carpet recycling," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 76-84.
    2. Cherdsak Suksiripattanapong & Taweerat Phetprapai & Witawat Singsang & Chayakrit Phetchuay & Jaksada Thumrongvut & Wisitsak Tabyang, 2022. "Utilization of Recycled Plastic Waste in Fiber Reinforced Concrete for Eco-Friendly Footpath and Pavement Applications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-15, June.
    3. Yann Mey Yee & Lilian Sy & Kryzia Lomibao & Josephine Dela Cruz German & Hui-Ming Wee, 2023. "Sustainable Economic Production Quantity Model Considering Greenhouse Gas and Wastewater Emissions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-30, February.
    4. C. Genta & S. Favaro & G. Sonetti & G. V. Fracastoro & P. Lombardi, 2022. "Quantitative assessment of environmental impacts at the urban scale: the ecological footprint of a university campus," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 5826-5845, April.
    5. Yunisa Zahrah & Jeongsoo Yu & Xiaoyue Liu, 2024. "How Indonesia’s Cities Are Grappling with Plastic Waste: An Integrated Approach towards Sustainable Plastic Waste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-32, May.
    6. Emillo Byrd & Benjamin Netzel & David Brent Adams & Hao Zhang, 2021. "Life cycle GHG assessment of magnetic bearing and oil lubricated bearing water cooled chillers," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(5), pages 1222-1235, October.
    7. Harshwardhan Ketkale & Steven Simske, 2023. "Demographic Considerations in Incenting Reuse of Corrugated Cardboard Boxes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-23, July.
    8. Lausselet, Carine & Cherubini, Francesco & Oreggioni, Gabriel David & del Alamo Serrano, Gonzalo & Becidan, Michael & Hu, Xiangping & Rørstad, Per Kr. & Strømman, Anders Hammer, 2017. "Norwegian Waste-to-Energy: Climate change, circular economy and carbon capture and storage," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 50-61.
    9. Jihaoming Zou & Zhen Zhang, 2022. "Analysis of Main Factors on Evaluation and Selection of Wet Waste Disposal Modes: A Case Study of Universities in Shanghai, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-27, April.
    10. Razzaq, Asif & Sharif, Arshian & Afshan, Sahar & Li, Claire J., 2023. "Do climate technologies and recycling asymmetrically mitigate consumption-based carbon emissions in the United States? New insights from Quantile ARDL," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 186(PA).
    11. Silvia Vela & Chiara Calderini & Paolo Rosasco & Carlo Strazza, 2022. "Economic and Environmental Evaluation of a Single-Story Steel Building in Its Life Cycle: A Comprehensive Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-22, November.
    12. Anton Orlov & Elena Klyuchnikova & Anna Korppoo, 2021. "Economic and Environmental Benefits from Municipal Solid Waste Recycling in the Murmansk Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-10, September.
    13. Bilal Boubellouta & Sigrid Kusch-Brandt, 2023. "Driving factors of e-waste recycling rate in 30 European countries: new evidence using a panel quantile regression of the EKC hypothesis coupled with the STIRPAT model," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(8), pages 7533-7560, August.
    14. Rebekka Volk & Christoph Stallkamp & Justus J. Steins & Savina Padumane Yogish & Richard C. Müller & Dieter Stapf & Frank Schultmann, 2021. "Techno‐economic assessment and comparison of different plastic recycling pathways: A German case study," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(5), pages 1318-1337, October.

    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. Lausselet, Carine & Cherubini, Francesco & Oreggioni, Gabriel David & del Alamo Serrano, Gonzalo & Becidan, Michael & Hu, Xiangping & Rørstad, Per Kr. & Strømman, Anders Hammer, 2017. "Norwegian Waste-to-Energy: Climate change, circular economy and carbon capture and storage," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 50-61.
    2. Ferrão, Paulo & Ribeiro, Paulo & Rodrigues, João & Marques, Alexandra & Preto, Miguel & Amaral, Miguel & Domingos, Tiago & Lopes, Ana & Costa, e Inês, 2014. "Environmental, economic and social costs and benefits of a packaging waste management system: A Portuguese case study," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 67-78.
    3. 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.
    4. Stotz, Philippe Maurice & Niero, Monia & Bey, Niki & Paraskevas, Dimos, 2017. "Environmental screening of novel technologies to increase material circularity: A case study on aluminium cans," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 96-106.
    5. Rebekka Volk & Christoph Stallkamp & Justus J. Steins & Savina Padumane Yogish & Richard C. Müller & Dieter Stapf & Frank Schultmann, 2021. "Techno‐economic assessment and comparison of different plastic recycling pathways: A German case study," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(5), pages 1318-1337, October.
    6. Mayanti, Bening & Helo, Petri, 2022. "Closed-loop supply chain potential of agricultural plastic waste: Economic and environmental assessment of bale wrap waste recycling in Finland," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 244(C).
    7. Minoglou, Minas & Komilis, Dimitrios, 2013. "Optimizing the treatment and disposal of municipal solid wastes using mathematical programming—A case study in a Greek region," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 46-57.
    8. Huysman, Sofie & Debaveye, Sam & Schaubroeck, Thomas & Meester, Steven De & Ardente, Fulvio & Mathieux, Fabrice & Dewulf, Jo, 2015. "The recyclability benefit rate of closed-loop and open-loop systems: A case study on plastic recycling in Flanders," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 53-60.
    9. Väntsi, Olli & Kärki, Timo, 2015. "Environmental assessment of recycled mineral wool and polypropylene utilized in wood polymer composites," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 104(PA), pages 38-48.
    10. Beigbeder, Joana & Perrin, Didier & Mascaro, Jean-François & Lopez-Cuesta, José-Marie, 2013. "Study of the physico-chemical properties of recycled polymers from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) sorted by high resolution near infrared devices," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 105-114.
    11. Jinsong Li & Kenji Takeuchi, 2023. "Import ban and clean air: estimating the effect of China’s waste import ban on ozone pollution," Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, Springer;Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - SEEPS, vol. 25(4), pages 471-492, October.
    12. Simic, Vladimir & Dimitrijevic, Branka, 2013. "Risk explicit interval linear programming model for long-term planning of vehicle recycling in the EU legislative context under uncertainty," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 197-210.
    13. Kerstens, S.M. & Priyanka, A. & van Dijk, K.C. & De Ruijter, F.J. & Leusbrock, I. & Zeeman, G., 2016. "Potential demand for recoverable resources from Indonesian wastewater and solid waste," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 16-29.
    14. Manfredi, Simone & Goralczyk, Malgorzata, 2013. "Life cycle indicators for monitoring the environmental performance of European waste management," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 8-16.
    15. Niero, Monia & Olsen, Stig Irving, 2016. "Circular economy: To be or not to be in a closed product loop? A Life Cycle Assessment of aluminium cans with inclusion of alloying elements," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 18-31.
    16. Toniolo, Sara & Mazzi, Anna & Pieretto, Chiara & Scipioni, Antonio, 2017. "Allocation strategies in comparative life cycle assessment for recycling: Considerations from case studies," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 117(PB), pages 249-261.
    17. Lazarevic, David & Aoustin, Emmanuelle & Buclet, Nicolas & Brandt, Nils, 2010. "Plastic waste management in the context of a European recycling society: Comparing results and uncertainties in a life cycle perspective," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(2), pages 246-259.
    18. Markus Gall & Andrea Schweighuber & Wolfgang Buchberger & Reinhold W. Lang, 2020. "Plastic Bottle Cap Recycling—Characterization of Recyclate Composition and Opportunities for Design for Circularity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-21, December.
    19. Miguel Vigil & Maria Pedrosa-Laza & JV Alvarez Cabal & Francisco Ortega-Fernández, 2020. "Sustainability Analysis of Active Packaging for the Fresh Cut Vegetable Industry by Means of Attributional & Consequential Life Cycle Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-18, September.
    20. Benedetta Cotta, 0. "What goes around, comes around? Access and allocation problems in Global North–South waste trade," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-15.

    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:eee:recore:v:105:y:2015:i:pa:p:186-197. 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: Kai Meng (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/resources-conservation-and-recycling .

    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.