REPurpose project’s Post

New research from the The University of Sheffield has revealed that, in most cases, replacing #plastics with #alternativematerials can actually lead to higher #greenhousegas emissions. Findings from the study have revealed that in 15 out of the 16 applications examined, plastic products actually result in lower #GHG emissions compared to their alternatives. The reduction in emissions spans from 10 percent to as high as 90 percent across the product life cycle. The findings were quite surprising - while plastics do have their own environmental challenges, the alternatives often have a larger carbon footprint due to energy-intensive manufacturing processes. This highlights the importance of looking at the full #lifecycle impact when considering material substitutions. Simply switching to 'greener' materials is not always the best environmental solution. Reducing overall #consumption, improving #recycling and waste management, and #innovating sustainable plastic alternatives may be more effective paths forward. As with most complex environmental issues, there are no easy answers - but this research provides valuable insights to guide more impactful decision-making. Chris DeArmitt - PhD, FRSC, FIMMM https://lnkd.in/gKm32KRX

https://lnkd.in/d45jYrQJ A University of Sheffield study, with collaboration from the University of Cambridge and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, reveals that replacing plastics with alternative materials could increase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Published in Environmental Science & Technology, the research shows plastics have lower GHG emissions compared to alternatives in 15 of 16 applications studied, attributed to their efficiency in production and transport. The study underscores the importance of life cycle assessment in environmental policymaking to prevent a shift towards more emission-intensive materials. Emphasizing demand reduction, optimization, and recycling as effective strategies, it highlights the nuanced role of plastics in environmental sustainability, including their contribution to reducing food spoilage. Lead researcher Dr. Fanran Meng advocates for a balanced consideration of plastics' environmental impact and their potential effects on marine and ecological health, aiming for sustainable plastics use. #Sustainability #GHGEmissions #PlasticsVsAlternatives #EnvironmentalImpact

Exciting news! I am thrilled to share that a new article co-authored by my good colleague Zoe Schyns and me in Nature Chemical Engineering, "Analyses of circular solutions for advanced plastics waste recycling," has just been published! This article highlights select case studies and addresses the need for relevant and holistic analysis frameworks to guide future research toward impactful circular solutions. Thanks to Thomas Epps, III and LaShanda Korley for leading this effort. Also, thanks to the rest of the authors: Yuqing Luo, Dion Vlachos, and Marianthi Ierapetritou! Link to article: https://lnkd.in/eMRZJynw

I recently had the opportunity to delve into the world of bioplastics during the Recolight Bio Plastic Webinar. One key takeaway was the importance of transparent communication when it comes to evaluating new materials. The lack of clarity around the sourcing and calculations raises valid concerns. For instance, understanding the source of renewable materials plays a vital role in assessing their environmental impact. When we consider sustainability, it's not just about numbers on paper. It's about delving deeper into the entire lifecycle of a product. For instance, delving into energy sources during production can reveal crucial insights into its carbon footprint. A fitting made in the UK is worse for the environment than a fitting made in Sweden due to grid using mainly fossil-based sources. In the case of bio-based materials like PLA sourced from sugar canes in Asia, the story goes beyond CO2 emissions. Issues like biodiversity and land use also come into play. In contrast, materials like the one we use in Discovery, which are certified by ISCC and sourced as by-products, offer a more transparent and reliable option. In the quest for sustainable solutions, the devil lies in the details. While some materials may seem promising at first glance, a comprehensive evaluation is crucial. Transparency in sourcing and a holistic view of the environmental impact are key factors shaping our decisions at Fagerhult and ateljé Lyktan. Take the new Superduper tube designed by Snøhetta which was 5 years in the making which is an extruded bio-based polymer with zero plastic content - but crucially made in Sweden! where the grid is much cleaner and being extremely energy efficient has a positive impact on the environment. A luminaires biggest through life impact on the environment comes from the usage phase. But if a company buy's green energy this impact shifts to the materials used in its construction and how green the grid is in the country of production. I would love to hear your thoughts on navigating the complex world of bio-plastics!

I'm excited to share our recent research paper published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (ACS Publications)! The paper” Toward Building Circularity in Sustainable Plastic Waste Conversion" explores innovative recycling methods to address the escalating plastic waste crisis. By leveraging process systems engineering models, we propose a comprehensive framework that optimizes various recycling technologies such as pyrolysis, gasification, and mechanical recycling. Our findings highlight the potential of chemical recycling derivatives to enhance profitability, circularity, and overall sustainability. This work generally offers tailored solutions to plastic waste that are aligned with circular economy goals. Read the full open-access article here: [ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering](https://lnkd.in/d-s32i-5) A big thanks to my supervisors, Dr. Dhabia Al-Mohannadi and Dr. Ma'moun Al-Rawashdeh for their incredible guidance and support, which made this work see the light. #PlasticRecycling #CircularEconomy #OpenAccess #Research ---

I’m excited to share this paper, which I consider one of the best pieces of academic writing. It’s solidly science-based, succinct, and *exceptionally* readable! Highly recommended for anyone interested in understanding why focusing solely on plastic waste management is not a viable solution to end plastic pollution.

We know plastic is bad for the planet, but what alternatives are there? A new #WHOI study highlights the versatility of cellulose diacetate, a wood-based polymer. This durable material turns out to be a good substitute for items like polystyrene food packaging and straws. Even better: it degrades faster than paper when small air bubbles are added through a process called "foaming"! 📲Find out more about this miracle material from : go.whoi.edu/good-cda

Quick interesting research and could be an option. The whole world has suffered from environmental impacts of plastics. It gets interesting to hear options that will help us solve this global issue.

About plastics... There are 16,000 chemicals used in plastics. We know that 4200 are hazardous. We lack data on more than 10,000. Every year, the world throws away more than the weight of all humanity (425 million tons of plastic). News to me, all the models point to reducing production as one of the most important solution. So a moratorium on building production facilities, eventual caps on production, and then reduction of production. We know a lot of places in the world lack solid waste management. But i like the focus shifting to capping production. Great insights, facts and solutions, thank you Bethanie Carney Almroth of the University of Gothenburg.

A recent machine learning study by Samuel Pottinger and colleagues predicts that, without intervention, global plastic waste could double by 2050. However, simulations from the study suggest that a combination of policy interventions could reduce plastic waste by over 90 % and cut emissions related to plastics by one-third. The study was published in Science. https://lnkd.in/e79XNFtG