Evaluation of the environmental impact of plastic cap production, packaging, and disposal

This study analysed the impact of the production of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) caps on the environment. To determine the environmental impact of injection moulding production, a life-cycle assessment was performed. The life-cycle assessment results showed that, in the injection moulding tool manufacturing process, the largest amount of environmental loading is attributable to electricity and steel consumption. Additionally, the HDPE cap production phase had the largest environmental impact associated with electricity consumption. However, scenario analysis showed that the environmental impact from electricity consumption can be reduced by up to ten times if cleaner sources of electricity are used. Large differences related to electricity sourcing should help developing countries to better understand the need to increase the use of cleaner sources of electricity.