Plastics and Sustainable Development - Identifying and Quantifying Ecodesign Strategies for Plastics.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Sustainable Design

Background:

• The plastic sector faces scrutiny for its linear lifecycle, low recovery rates, and environmental impact.
• Achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires industrial accountability, including the plastics industry.
• Product design significantly influences material recoverability and recycling effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the impact of plastics on various SDG indicators and their relationship with ecodesign strategies.
• To identify plastic-specific ecodesign strategies that enhance resource efficiency and material recoverability.
• To propose a new methodological framework for comparing and quantifying these ecodesign strategies.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review was conducted to analyze the influence of plastics on sustainability dimensions.
• The review examined the relationship between plastic materials, SDG indicators, and ecodesign approaches.
• A novel methodological framework was developed for quantitative comparison of ecodesign strategies.

Main Results:

• Plastics significantly impact multiple SDG indicators, necessitating targeted ecodesign interventions.
• Specific ecodesign strategies were identified to improve resource efficiency and material recoverability in plastic products.
• The proposed framework allows for quantitative assessment and comparison of different ecodesign strategies for plastics.

Conclusions:

• Ecodesign is crucial for mitigating the environmental impact of plastics and promoting circular economy principles.
• Implementing plastic-specific ecodesign strategies can enhance sustainability outcomes aligned with the SDGs.
• The developed methodological framework provides a valuable tool for optimizing ecodesign decisions in the plastic industry.