IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i12p9292-d1166841.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Role of Renewable-Derived Plastics in the Analysis of Waste Management Schemes: A Time-Dependent Carbon Cycle Assessment

Author

Listed:
  • Cristina Aracil

    (Bioenergy Group, Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería, Universidad de Sevilla, Camino de los Descubrimientos s/n, 41092 Seville, Spain)

  • Ángel L. Villanueva Perales

    (Bioenergy Group, Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería, Universidad de Sevilla, Camino de los Descubrimientos s/n, 41092 Seville, Spain)

  • Jacopo Giuntoli

    (Independent Researcher, 51016 Montecatini Terme, Italy)

  • Jorge Cristóbal

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Via E. Fermi 2749, 21027 Ispra, Italy)

  • Pedro Haro

    (Bioenergy Group, Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería, Universidad de Sevilla, Camino de los Descubrimientos s/n, 41092 Seville, Spain)

Abstract

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is an essential greenhouse gas removal (GGR) technology used to achieve negative emissions in bioenergy plants using biomass feedstock (Bio-CCS). In this study, the climate mitigation potential of a novel GGR technology consisting in the production of renewable-derived plastics from municipal solid waste (MSW) refuse has been evaluated. This novel GGR technology allows for carbon storage, for variable periods, in stable materials (plastics), and thus overcomes the technical limitations of CCS. A time-dependent carbon cycle assessment has been conducted based on the Absolute Global surface Temperature change Potential (AGTP) metric. This new method to assess carbon emissions is presented against a traditional life cycle assessment (LCA). The production of renewable-derived plastics proves to be an effective GGR technology for both landfill- and incineration-dominant countries in Europe. The results obtained encourage the implementation of renewable-derived plastics in Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) to assess their global potential in forecasting scenarios to achieve the ambitious climate change targets set in the European Union. Thanks to this study, a novel approach toward a green and sustainable economy has been established. This study will help to fill the gaps between bioenergy and renewable materials production.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Aracil & Ángel L. Villanueva Perales & Jacopo Giuntoli & Jorge Cristóbal & Pedro Haro, 2023. "The Role of Renewable-Derived Plastics in the Analysis of Waste Management Schemes: A Time-Dependent Carbon Cycle Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-21, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:12:p:9292-:d:1166841
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/12/9292/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/12/9292/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Haro, Pedro & Aracil, Cristina & Vidal-Barrero, Fernando & Ollero, Pedro, 2015. "Balance and saving of GHG emissions in thermochemical biorefineries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 444-455.
    2. Fridahl, Mathias, 2017. "Socio-political prioritization of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 89-99.
    3. Sabine Fuss & Josep G. Canadell & Glen P. Peters & Massimo Tavoni & Robbie M. Andrew & Philippe Ciais & Robert B. Jackson & Chris D. Jones & Florian Kraxner & Nebosja Nakicenovic & Corinne Le Quéré & , 2014. "Betting on negative emissions," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 4(10), pages 850-853, October.
    4. Laurent Lebreton & Anthony Andrady, 2019. "Future scenarios of global plastic waste generation and disposal," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(1), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Sigurjonsson, Hafthor Ægir & Elmegaard, Brian & Clausen, Lasse Røngaard & Ahrenfeldt, Jesper, 2015. "Climate effect of an integrated wheat production and bioenergy system with Low Temperature Circulating Fluidized Bed gasifier," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 511-520.
    6. Caroline Gaudreault & Reid Miner, 2015. "Temporal Aspects in Evaluating the Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Benefits of Using Residues from Forest Products Manufacturing Facilities for Energy Production," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 19(6), pages 994-1007, December.
    7. Haro, P. & Ollero, P. & Villanueva Perales, A.L. & Gómez-Barea, A., 2013. "Thermochemical biorefinery based on dimethyl ether as intermediate: Technoeconomic assessment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 950-961.
    8. Chen, Chao & Rubin, Edward S., 2009. "CO2 control technology effects on IGCC plant performance and cost," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 915-924, March.
    9. Haro, Pedro & Aracil, Cristina & Vidal-Barrero, Fernando & Ollero, Pedro, 2015. "Rewarding of extra-avoided GHG emissions in thermochemical biorefineries incorporating Bio-CCS," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 255-266.
    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. Haro, Pedro & Aracil, Cristina & Vidal-Barrero, Fernando & Ollero, Pedro, 2015. "Rewarding of extra-avoided GHG emissions in thermochemical biorefineries incorporating Bio-CCS," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 255-266.
    2. Laurie Waller & Tim Rayner & Jason Chilvers & Clair Amanda Gough & Irene Lorenzoni & Andrew Jordan & Naomi Vaughan, 2020. "Contested framings of greenhouse gas removal and its feasibility: Social and political dimensions," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 11(4), July.
    3. Vassilis Stavrakas & Niki-Artemis Spyridaki & Alexandros Flamos, 2018. "Striving towards the Deployment of Bio-Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS): A Review of Research Priorities and Assessment Needs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-27, June.
    4. Ana B. Cuevas & David E. Leiva-Candia & M. P. Dorado, 2024. "An Overview of Pyrolysis as Waste Treatment to Produce Eco-Energy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-32, June.
    5. Changping Zhao & Juanjuan Sun & Yun Zhang, 2022. "A Study of the Drivers of Decarbonization in the Plastics Supply Chain in the Post-COVID-19 Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-20, November.
    6. Kawther Saeedi & Anna Visvizi & Dimah Alahmadi & Amal Babour, 2023. "Smart Cities and Households’ Recyclable Waste Management: The Case of Jeddah," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-23, April.
    7. Lei, Mingyu & Cai, Wenjia & Liu, Wenling & Wang, Can, 2022. "The heterogeneity in energy consumption patterns and home appliance purchasing preferences across urban households in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    8. Igor Donskoy, 2023. "Techno-Economic Efficiency Estimation of Promising Integrated Oxyfuel Gasification Combined-Cycle Power Plants with Carbon Capture," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 5(1), pages 1-18, February.
    9. Eide, Jan & de Sisternes, Fernando J. & Herzog, Howard J. & Webster, Mort D., 2014. "CO2 emission standards and investment in carbon capture," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 53-65.
    10. Shinichiro Fujimori & Tomoko Hasegawa & Volker Krey & Keywan Riahi & Christoph Bertram & Benjamin Leon Bodirsky & Valentina Bosetti & Jessica Callen & Jacques Després & Jonathan Doelman & Laurent Drou, 2019. "A multi-model assessment of food security implications of climate change mitigation," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 2(5), pages 386-396, May.
    11. Dhiman, Saurabh Sudha & David, Aditi & Braband, Vanessa W. & Hussein, Abdulmenan & Salem, David R. & Sani, Rajesh K., 2017. "Improved bioethanol production from corn stover: Role of enzymes, inducers and simultaneous product recovery," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 1420-1429.
    12. Ma, Chunyan & Wang, Nan & Chen, Yifeng & Khokarale, Santosh Govind & Bui, Thai Q. & Weiland, Fredrik & Lestander, Torbjörn A. & Rudolfsson, Magnus & Mikkola, Jyri-Pekka & Ji, Xiaoyan, 2020. "Towards negative carbon emissions: Carbon capture in bio-syngas from gasification by aqueous pentaethylenehexamine," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    13. Rafael Estevez & Laura Aguado-Deblas & Francisco J. López-Tenllado & Felipa M. Bautista & Antonio A. Romero & Diego Luna, 2024. "Study on the Performance and Emissions of Triple Blends of Diesel/Waste Plastic Oil/Vegetable Oil in a Diesel Engine: Advancing Eco-Friendly Solutions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-17, March.
    14. Cordier, Mateo & Uehara, Takuro & Baztan, Juan & Jorgensen, Bethany & Yan, Huijie, 2021. "Plastic pollution and economic growth: The influence of corruption and lack of education," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    15. Amna Farrukh & Aymen Sajjad, 2024. "Investigating sustainability tensions and resolution strategies in the plastic food packaging industry—A paradox theory approach," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 2868-2889, May.
    16. Gutiérrez-Alvarez, R. & Guerra, K. & Haro, P., 2023. "Market profitability of CSP-biomass hybrid power plants: Towards a firm supply of renewable energy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 335(C).
    17. Yang, Bo & Wei, Yi-Ming & Hou, Yunbing & Li, Hui & Wang, Pengtao, 2019. "Life cycle environmental impact assessment of fuel mix-based biomass co-firing plants with CO2 capture and storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C), pages 1-1.
    18. Millinger, M. & Reichenberg, L. & Hedenus, F. & Berndes, G. & Zeyen, E. & Brown, T., 2022. "Are biofuel mandates cost-effective? - An analysis of transport fuels and biomass usage to achieve emissions targets in the European energy system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).
    19. P. A. Turner & C. B. Field & D. B. Lobell & D. L. Sanchez & K. J. Mach, 2018. "Unprecedented rates of land-use transformation in modelled climate change mitigation pathways," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 1(5), pages 240-245, May.
    20. Carl-Friedrich Schleussner & Joeri Rogelj & Michiel Schaeffer & Tabea Lissner & Rachel Licker & Erich M. Fischer & Reto Knutti & Anders Levermann & Katja Frieler & William Hare, 2016. "Science and policy characteristics of the Paris Agreement temperature goal," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 6(9), pages 827-835, September.

    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:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:12:p:9292-:d:1166841. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.