The project mainly focuses on a quantitative analysis of the environmental impacts associated with a product, through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), following the guidelines proposed by the international standards ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. The products under study are polystyrene cups for hot beverages suitable for food contact. Specifically, these cups can be smooth or ribbed, and either transparent, white, or brown. Since the virgin polystyrene used in the intermediate layer of the cups is not in direct contact with the food, it can be replaced by post-consumer recycled polystyrene. So, this thesis will include scenario analyses focusing mainly on the implementation of environmental enhancement strategies. These strategies will primarily involve the replacement of a portion of the virgin polystyrene with recycled polystyrene (RPS), together with other variations, including changes in energy supply. Finally, a comparison with other commonly used types of cups will be conducted to provide a broader perspective on available alternatives, ultimately aiming to determine challenges and future perspectives for this class of products.

The project mainly focuses on a quantitative analysis of the environmental impacts associated with a product, through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), following the guidelines proposed by the international standards ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. The products under study are polystyrene cups for hot beverages suitable for food contact. Specifically, these cups can be smooth or ribbed, and either transparent, white, or brown. Since the virgin polystyrene used in the intermediate layer of the cups is not in direct contact with the food, it can be replaced by post-consumer recycled polystyrene. So, this thesis will include scenario analyses focusing mainly on the implementation of environmental enhancement strategies. These strategies will primarily involve the replacement of a portion of the virgin polystyrene with recycled polystyrene (RPS), together with other variations, including changes in energy supply. Finally, a comparison with other commonly used types of cups will be conducted to provide a broader perspective on available alternatives, ultimately aiming to determine challenges and future perspectives for this class of products.

Evaluating the potential of sustainability and circularity strategies for plastic cups: a Life Cycle Assessment with multiple scenarios

CORBETTA, SERGIO
2023/2024

Abstract

The project mainly focuses on a quantitative analysis of the environmental impacts associated with a product, through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), following the guidelines proposed by the international standards ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. The products under study are polystyrene cups for hot beverages suitable for food contact. Specifically, these cups can be smooth or ribbed, and either transparent, white, or brown. Since the virgin polystyrene used in the intermediate layer of the cups is not in direct contact with the food, it can be replaced by post-consumer recycled polystyrene. So, this thesis will include scenario analyses focusing mainly on the implementation of environmental enhancement strategies. These strategies will primarily involve the replacement of a portion of the virgin polystyrene with recycled polystyrene (RPS), together with other variations, including changes in energy supply. Finally, a comparison with other commonly used types of cups will be conducted to provide a broader perspective on available alternatives, ultimately aiming to determine challenges and future perspectives for this class of products.
2023
Evaluating the potential of sustainability and circularity strategies for plastic cups: a Life Cycle Assessment with multiple scenarios
The project mainly focuses on a quantitative analysis of the environmental impacts associated with a product, through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), following the guidelines proposed by the international standards ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. The products under study are polystyrene cups for hot beverages suitable for food contact. Specifically, these cups can be smooth or ribbed, and either transparent, white, or brown. Since the virgin polystyrene used in the intermediate layer of the cups is not in direct contact with the food, it can be replaced by post-consumer recycled polystyrene. So, this thesis will include scenario analyses focusing mainly on the implementation of environmental enhancement strategies. These strategies will primarily involve the replacement of a portion of the virgin polystyrene with recycled polystyrene (RPS), together with other variations, including changes in energy supply. Finally, a comparison with other commonly used types of cups will be conducted to provide a broader perspective on available alternatives, ultimately aiming to determine challenges and future perspectives for this class of products.
Circular Economy
LCA
Carbon Footprint
Sustainability
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12608/80437