Comparative LCA of polypropylene, borosilicate glass and stainless steel durable food containers: a cradle-to-grave study

The increasing focus on environmental issues and the urgent need for a sustainable energy transition underscore the growing necessity of evaluating the environmental impact of widely used materials. Within this context, the thesis analyzes and compares polypropylene, borosilicate glass and stainless steel through the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). These materials belong to the plastic, glass and metal categories, which are among the most common and widely used material groups in everyday life, and their environmental performance is evaluated through the analysis of durable food containers. Furthermore, this thesis presents a virtuous example of plastic recovery and valorization implemented by ”iMilani S.R.L. Società Benefit” through the recovery of abandoned fishing nets, also known as ghost nets, from the Mediterranean Sea. Developed in collaboration with “Sea Shepherd Italia”, this initiative illustrates how marine plastic waste can be effectively recovered and reintroduced into industrial material flows, supporting circular economy principles and contributing to the reduction of environmental impacts associated with raw material production.