The use of the LCA polygon framework in waste management

Abstract

Purpose

Recycling of non‐renewable resources serves both in reducing the consumption of virgin supplies and the discharge of associated residuals back into the natural environment. On the other hand, recycling has been criticized because of its environmental impacts. The aim of the present paper is to identify and quantify the environmental effect of recycling of a glass bottle.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, the life cycle assessment polygon framework is being used. This framework has been developed for evaluating the results of a life cycle inventory analysis using critical volume aggregation and polygon‐based interpretation.

Findings

Recycling strategies can, in most cases, reduce the total environmental burden of the glass container examined. However, this reduction may considerably vary in relation to each “ecological parameter” (consumption of energy, consumption of water, air emissions, waterborne waste and solid waste), depending mainly on the “recycling mix” (the percentage of recycled material used in production and the percentage of product waste that goes for recycling).

Research limitations/implications

The extent to which these findings could be generalized to other materials and products could be confirmed by more applications of the framework.

Practical implications

This paper may help in developing recycling strategies.

Originality/value

A conceptual framework for the environmental evaluation of recycling, considering, not only general recycling targets, but also the particular interests or conditions that may exist, is introduced.

Citation

Georgakellos, D.A. (2006), "The use of the LCA polygon framework in waste management", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 17 No. 4, pp. 490-507. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777830610670544