Life Cycle Environmental Impact of Underground Plastic Recharge Chambers in Stormwater Management

Life cycle assessment is used to systematically evaluate the environmental impact of underground plastic recharge chambers (RCs) for stormwater management. Using cradle-to-gate life and a functional unit 1 m3 capacity, different RC structure types, manufacturing processes materials are considered. The inventory based on various commercially available RCs, including injection-molded or extruded polypropylene polyvinylchloride polymers typical installation methods. A new dataset developed estimate manufacture use recycled granulate. TRACI 2.1 investigate midpoint metrics, acidification, eutrophication, global warming, fossil fuel resources. Results indicate that represents as much 99% total impact, driven largely by polymer processing method. Injection molding has average 50% higher per kg material than extrusion. Processing transport backfill project site approximately 20% impact. distance highly significant: long distances can cause transportation exceed