Comparing life cycle energy and<scp>GHG</scp>emissions of bio‐based<scp>PET</scp>, recycled<scp>PET</scp>,<scp>PLA</scp>, and man‐made cellulosics

Shen, Li; Worrell, Ernst; Patel, Martin Kumar

doi:10.1002/bbb.1368

Cited by 112 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…). Another example is the study by Shen and colleagues (), where a wide selection of plastic materials was investigated: polyethylene therephthalate (PET); partially bio‐based PET; recycled PET; partially bio‐based and recycled PET; polylactic acid; and man‐made cellulose fibers from wood pulp. Roes and Patel () compared different production technologies for producing the base chemical caprolactam: via fossil benzene, via the more novel fermentation of starch or sugar cane, and an even more novel route via the chemical, 3‐pentenamide.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Assessment of Emerging Technologies: Recommendations for Prospective LCA

Arvidsson

Tillman

Sandén

et al. 2017

J of Industrial Ecology

341

233

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The challenge of assessing emerging technologies with life cycle assessment (LCA) has been increasingly discussed in the LCA field. In this article, we propose a definition of prospective LCA: An LCA is prospective when the (emerging) technology studied is in an early phase of development (e.g., small-scale production), but the technology is modeled at a future, more-developed phase (e.g., large-scale production). Methodological choices in prospective LCA must be adapted to reflect this goal of assessing environmental impacts of emerging technologies, which deviates from the typical goals of conventional LCA studies. The aim of the article is to provide a number of recommendations for how to conduct such prospective assessments in a relevant manner. The recommendations are based on a detailed review of selected prospective LCA case studies, mainly from the areas of nanomaterials, biomaterials, and energy technologies. We find that it is important to include technology alternatives that are relevant for the future in prospective LCA studies. Predictive scenarios and scenario ranges are two general approaches to prospective inventory modeling of both foreground and background systems. Many different data sources are available for prospective modeling of the foreground system: scientific articles; patents; expert interviews; unpublished experimental data; and process modeling. However, we caution against temporal mismatches between foreground and background systems, and recommend that foreground and background system impacts be reported separately in order to increase the usefulness of the results in other prospective studies. Keywords:case study emerging technology industrial ecology life cycle assessment (LCA) prospective technological changeConflict of interest statement: The authors have no conflict to declare.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Assessment of Emerging Technologies: Recommendations for Prospective LCA

Arvidsson

Tillman

Sandén

et al. 2017

J of Industrial Ecology

341

233

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“…Bio-PET-Although PET is non-biodegradable and its precursors TA and EG are fossil fuel derived, it is entirely possible to obtain the monomers from renewable resources and therefore synthesis bio-based PET [118]. The majority of bio-based PET currently in circulation is only 30% partially bio-based where only one of its monomers, EG, is produced from biomass.…”

Section: Bio-polyethylene Terephthalatementioning

confidence: 99%

Recycling of Bioplastics: Routes and Benefits

2020

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Continual reduction of landfill space along with rising CO 2 levels and environmental pollution, are global issues that will only grow with time if not correctly addressed. The lack of proper waste management infrastructure means gloablly commodity plastics are disposed of incorrectly, leading to both an economical loss and environmental destruction. The bioaccumulation of plastics and microplastics can already be seen in marine ecosystems causing a negative impact on all organisms that live there, ultimately microplastics will bioaccumulate in humans. The opportunity exists to replace the majority of petroleum derived plastics with bioplastics (bio-based, biodegradable or both). This, in conjunction with mechanical and chemical recycling is a renewable and sustainable solution that would help mitigate climate change. This review covers the most promising biopolymers PLA, PGA, PHA and bio-versions of conventional petro-plastics bio-PET, bio-PE. The most optimal recycling routes after reuse and mechanical recycling are: alcoholysis, biodegradation, biological recycling, glycolysis and pyrolysis respectively.

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“…Moreover, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly called polyester in the textile industry and the largest segment of the synthetic fiber sector, has a particularly slow rate of decomposition, with some scholars suggesting a single PET bottle may take approximately 800-1000 years to decompose in natural conditions (Zengin et al 2016). As the textile industry consumes the majority of PET globally (more than plastic bottles and other PET products combined) (Shen et al 2012), this source of microfibers is particularly harmful to the environment. Indeed, an increasing body of literature suggests that microfibers have now entered the human food chain not only through the consumption of fish and other aquatic life but more disturbingly through drinking water as well (Henry and Klepp 2019).…”

Section: Fashion's Environmental Footprintmentioning

confidence: 99%

Slow Fashion in a Fast Fashion World: Promoting Sustainability and Responsibility

Brewer

2019

Laws

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Through its rapid production methods that supply the latest catwalk styles almost instantaneously to the high street, the fast fashion model has revolutionized the fashion industry, while generating a significant carbon footprint and a host of social concerns. Yet, the law is either slow or ineffective in promoting sustainability in a world obsessed with image and social connectivity, while outdated notions of companies continue to dominate the legal academy. This chapter initially examines the fashion industry’s environmental footprint. Then, it examines the rise of the fast fashion model and law’s inadequacy to prevent the model from undermining intellectual property rights or effectively address the model’s detrimental impact on environmental and social sustainability. The chapter then challenges traditional notions of corporate personality, calling for more responsible corporate behavior and greater legal scrutiny. Finally, the chapter considers various issues to enhance ethical behavior in companies, arguing that the slow fashion movement provides an alternative paradigm to the fast fashion model, since the slow fashion movement connects suppliers and producers more closely with consumers, thereby enhancing sustainability and corporate responsibility.

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Comparing life cycle energy andGHGemissions of bio‐basedPET, recycledPET,PLA, and man‐made cellulosics

Cited by 112 publications

References 14 publications

Environmental Assessment of Emerging Technologies: Recommendations for Prospective LCA

Environmental Assessment of Emerging Technologies: Recommendations for Prospective LCA

Recycling of Bioplastics: Routes and Benefits

Slow Fashion in a Fast Fashion World: Promoting Sustainability and Responsibility

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