Optimal plastic recycling system and technology development could accelerate decarbonization: A case study from Japan

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Waste Management

Background:

• Polyvinyl chloride waste (PVCW) presents significant disposal challenges and environmental impacts.
• Optimizing recycling systems is crucial for reducing carbon footprints and achieving sustainability goals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a geographic and technical matching approach for low-carbon PVC waste recycling systems.
• To evaluate the impact of different recycling strategies on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and facility allocation.

Main Methods:

• A spatial optimization model was developed to match PVC waste sources with recycling facilities.
• The model considered both geographic proximity and technical capabilities, focusing on carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction.
• Analysis included mechanical/material recycling (MR), energy recovery, and chemical recycling.

Main Results:

• Optimal solutions prioritized nearby facilities for minimum total emissions, with mechanical recycling (MR) contributing the most to emission reductions.
• The number of allocated facilities decreased, while average emission reductions per ton of PVCW increased significantly.
• Technical parameters proved more critical than geolocation for maximizing emission reductions, with some long-distance routes being optimal.

Conclusions:

• The proposed optimization approach effectively enhances emission reductions and reduces the number of required disposal facilities, offering both environmental and economic benefits.
• Prioritizing mechanical recycling (MR) at the current technical level is recommended for lifecycle emission optimization.
• Future recycling systems can achieve greater low-carbon environmental effects and cost savings through technological advancements and strategic facility matching.