Metals recycling maps and allocation procedures in life cycle assessment

Abstract

Goal, scope, and background The aim of this work is to present guidance on the application of ISO 14044 to allocation procedures for metal recycling. As such, graphical patterns of metal recycling and generic "rules" for metal recycling maps are presented. The results are intended to be useful in assessing and validating the suitability of allocation procedures for metal recycling in the context of life cycle assessment (LCA) and assist in the understanding of metals flow patterns in product systems. LCA uses a product-focus; therefore, the perspective here is on recycling metals in postconsumer products. The discussions, analysis, and illustrations in this paper emphasize old (post-consumer) scrap and do not detail flows of new (post-manufacturing, preconsumer) or prompt (internal) scrap. The work included participation and review from International Council on Mining and Metals, the Nickel Institute, the International Copper Association, the International Zinc Association, worldsteel (formerly International Iron and Steel Institute), and the International Aluminium Institute. Methods A survey of generic metal flows was conducted for three major non-ferrous metals-nickel, copper, and zinc. Based on the results of this survey, four metal recycling map models were developed. Implications of these recycling maps for LCA were then considered, and parameters necessary to model metal recycling were presented. Relationships of inherent properties and recycling loops are provided and connected to the allocation procedures in the context of LCA. Results and discussion Four metals recycling map models were generated based on a survey and analysis of current metals flow analysis. The utility of the recycling maps is to serve the basis of a structured approach to recycling allocation in life cycle assessment and leveraging the efforts of harmonized recycling metrics. Conclusions A consensus on mapping metals is important in order to achieve an accurate understanding and measurement of metals recycling. To this end, consensus mapping presentation of a general allocation approach and identification of harmonized metrics were achieved among representatives of ferrous and non-ferrous metals groups. Perspectives For the future, allocation factors based on sound empirical data needs to be developed. Those metrics will empower the various stakeholders-industry, policy makers, non-governmental organizations, and academics to make appropriate decisions based on agreed scientific bases.

Developing a systematic framework for consistent allocation in LCA

“…the PEF Guide (European Commission 2013), the ILCD Handbook (European Commission 2010), PAS 2050 (BSI 2011), BPX 30-323-0 (AFNOR 2011), and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (WRI and WBCSD 2011)), or if they have been considered in recent comparative studies (e.g. Thomassen et al (2008), Dubreuil et al (2010), Frischknecht (2010) and Allacker et al (2014)). Comparisons with interpretations from older references are done as well (e.g.…”

Scrapping steel components for recycling—Isn’t that good enough? Seeking improvements in automotive component end-of-life

“…Non-functional recycling, a common result of the society's mostly open-loop recycling infrastructure, results when original material qualities are simply not utilized in the next use (UNEP 2011;Dubreuil et. al.…”

Tackling the Downcycling Issue—A Revised Approach to Value-Corrected Substitution in Life Cycle Assessment of Aluminum (VCS 2.0)

“…Like for the discussed case of used beverage cans (UBCs), these products should be modeled using a conventional avoided burden approach rather than the proposed methodology. (2). If the product is recycled in an open-loop recycling system, ascertain the most likely scrap class(es) that the product scrap will be traded in.…”

“…The discussion of recycling in attributional Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)-and of metal recycling in particular-has been mostly around two approaches: the -avoided burden‖ approach, also called -End-of-Life (EoL) recyling‖, and the -recycled content‖ approach, also called -cut-off method‖ [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Both approaches represent variants of an -EoL allocation‖, where the burden of primary material production is distributed between the first and the subsequent life cycle [10].…”