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The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment

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01-08-2010 | LCI MODELLING

LCI modelling approaches applied on recycling of materials in view of environmental sustainability, risk perception and eco-efficiency

Author: Rolf Frischknecht

Published in: The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment | Issue 7/2010

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Abstract

Purpose and scope

Two ISO-compliant approaches on modelling the recycling of plastics and metals are frequently applied in life cycle assessment case studies and intensively debated: the recycled content or cutoff approach and the end of life recycling or avoided burden approach. This paper discusses the two approaches from three different perspectives: (1) the kind of sustainability concept served, (2) the risk perception involved and (3) the eco-efficiency indicators resulting from the two approaches.

Results and discussion

The analysis shows that the recycled content approach serves the strong sustainability concept. It is based on a risk-averse attitude and results in higher eco-efficiency of metal scrap recycling as compared to primary metal manufacture. The end of life recycling approach serves the weak sustainability concept (losses in natural capital can be compensated by man-made capital). It corresponds to a risk-seeking attitude and results in higher eco-efficiency of primary metal manufacture as compared to secondary metal production.

Conclusions

It is concluded that a harmonisation of the approaches is hardly possible due to the value choices involved. It is the task of (private and public) life cycle assessment commissioners to decide on the appropriate modelling approach. National authorities may have a rather long-term and risk-averse perspective, whilst industries may prefer a short-term perspective leading them to select the recycled content and end of life recycling approach, respectively. Life cycle inventory databases need to be flexible to serve such opposing perspectives and to enable practitioners to adapt the modelling approaches according to the needs of the commissioner.

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Title: LCI modelling approaches applied on recycling of materials in view of environmental sustainability, risk perception and eco-efficiency
Author: Rolf Frischknecht
Publication date: 01-08-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment / Issue 7/2010
Print ISSN: 0948-3349
Electronic ISSN: 1614-7502
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-010-0201-6

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Abstract

Purpose and scope

Results and discussion

Conclusions

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