Valorisation of polylactic acid (PLA) waste: A comparative life cycle assessment of various solvent-based chemical recycling technologies

To understand the environmental impacts of various chemical recycling solutions for handling end-of-life (EoL) post-consumer (PC) PLA waste, a comparative assessment was conducted. A life cycle (LCA) applied ISO standards 14040/44. The functional unit study treatment one tonne PC-PLA waste. four EoL scenarios investigated were: (1) hydrolysis, (2) alcoholysis using methanol, (3) ethanol and (4) direct incineration scope considers emanating from: (a) collection transport (b) its pre-treatment, (c) respective production recyclates (e) substitution conventional products with recyclates. results show that all three technologies perform better from an perspective as compared to In particular, processes considerable benefits across impact categories such global warming, acidification, eutrophication, ionising radiation, photochemical ozone formation, resource use (energy carriers; mineral metals) respiratory inorganics. On other hand, valorisation lactic acid via hydrolysis shows highest concerning land water scarcity. case potential on depletion, alcoholysis-using methanol performs worst. Through obtained subsequent discussions, this establishes need instituting strategy create resource-efficient future involving different sectors along value chain.