scholarly journals Costs and benefits of recycling PVC contaminated with the legacy hazardous plasticizer DEHP

2021 ◽  
pp. 0734242X2110067
Author(s):  
Jean-Marc Brignon
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Environmental Economics ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Chemical Additives ◽  
Reduce Emissions ◽  
Negative Impacts

Reusing materials is an attractive option for circular economy and can also reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants. However, recycling raises questions regarding the potential risks to human health or the environment when hazardous legacy chemical additives of materials are also recycled, instead of the recent and less hazardous additives of virgin materials. To address this trade-off, this study developed a model to calculate the total external cost of material supply, considering the health and environmental impacts of all industrial steps (e.g. virgin material production, incineration, and recycling), and the health effects of recycling chemicals present in the material. The model is coupling material flow analysis, life-cycle analysis, and environmental economics to compare different recycling policies. It is applied for all illustrative purposes to soft PVC and DEHP in France. Results show that recycling of materials is in the long-term positive despite the prolongation of the presence of hazardous additives in materials. The time when the recurring environmental benefits of recycling offset the negative impacts on human health of recycling the additives is very sensitive to the health impact of additives. This approach can improve the harmonization between recycling and circular economy policies, and as a framework to confirm the relevance and size treatments to remove additives from materials during recycling.

Dynamics of Regional Recycling Economy Development Based on Material Flow Analysis: A Case Study in Shandong Province

2011 ◽  
Vol 347-353 ◽  
pp. 2961-2966
Author(s):  
Dian Ming Geng ◽  
Jia Xiang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Material Flow ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Shandong Province ◽  
Utilization Efficiency ◽  
Recycling Economy ◽  
Material Input ◽  
Inputs And Outputs

In order to study the development of regional recycling economy, the material inputs and outputs of the eco-economic system in Shandong Province during the period from 1996 to 2009 were systematically analyzed by the material flow analysis(MFA). The results show that, (1)excluding water, material inputs and outputs rose persistently, but both were lower than the rate of GDP growth. (2)Water supply had a turning point in 2003, from 25.239 billion tons down to 21.934 billion tons, followed by the total annual water supply has been maintained at 220 million tons. At the same time the amount of wastewater emissions is increasing, especially domestic wastewater emissions had faster growth and that increased pressure on the regional water environment;(3) Steady increase in material input intensity, material output intensity presented a first increased and then decreased trend, that showed since Shandong Province proposed the strategic planning to develop circular economy, the development of regional circular economy have improved the material utilization efficiency and made a material reduction in output in the case of material input growth achieved. The rapid increase of material input and output efficiency further illustrated the efficiency of resource comprehensive utilization and waste output have been significantly improved.

scholarly journals Assessment of plastic flows and stocks in Serbia using material flow analysis

2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (suppl.) ◽  
pp. 89-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Goran Vujic ◽  
Nebojsa Jovicic ◽  
Milun Babic ◽  
Nemanja Stanisavljevic ◽  
Bojan Batinic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Material Flow ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Plastic Materials

Material flow analysis (MFA) was used to assess the amounts of plastic materials flows and stocks that are annually produced, consumed, imported, exported, collected, recycled, and disposed in the landfills in Serbia. The analysis revealed that approximatelly 269,000 tons of plastic materials are directly disposed in uncontrolled landfills in Serbia without any preatretment, and that siginificant amounts of these materials have already accumulated in the landfills. The substantial amounts of landfilled plastics represent not only a loss of valuable recourses, but also pose a seriuos treath to the environment and human health, and if the trend of direct plastic landfilling is continued, Serbia will face with grave consecequnces.

scholarly journals HOW TO INCREASE CIRCULARITY IN THE SWISS ECONOMY?

Detritus ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
Cecilia Matasci ◽  
Marcel Gauch ◽  
Heinz Boeni
Keyword(s):  
Economic System ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Material Flow ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flows ◽  
Environmental Threats ◽  
High Level ◽  
Recycled Waste

Environmental threats are triggered by the overconsumption of raw materials. It is therefore necessary to move towards a society that both reduces extraction and keeps the majority of the extracted raw materials in the socio-economic system. Circular economy is a key strategy to reach these goals. To implement it effectively, it is necessary to understand and monitor material flows and to define hotspots, i.e. materials that need to be tackled with the highest priority. This paper is aimed at determining how to increase circularity in the Swiss economy by means of a Material Flow Analysis coupled with a simplified Life Cycle Assessment. After having characterized material flows, we analyzed two types of hotspots: i) Raw materials consumed and/or disposed at high level, and ii) Raw materials whose extraction and production generates high environmental impacts. The Material Flow Analysis shows that each year 119 Mt of raw materials enter the Swiss economy. Therefrom, 15 Mt are derived from recycled waste inside the country; 67 Mt leave the system yearly; 27 Mt towards disposal. Out of the disposed materials, 56% are recycled and re-enter the socio-economic system as secondary materials. Looking at hotspots; concrete, asphalt, gravel and sand are among materials that are consumed and disposed at high level. Yet, looking at greenhouse gas emissions generated during extraction and production, metals - including the ones in electrical and electronic equipment - as well as textiles are among the categories that carry the biggest burden on the environment per unit of material.

Using regional material flow analysis and geospatial mapping to support the transition to a circular economy for plastics

2022 ◽  
Vol 179 ◽  
pp. 106085
Author(s):  
Neha Mehta ◽  
Eoin Cunningham ◽  
Martin Doherty ◽  
Peter Sainsbury ◽  
Ife Bolaji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Material Flow ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Geospatial Mapping

Spatiotemporal variations of water resources metabolism efficiency in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 1178-1188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lihong Meng ◽  
Dewei Yang ◽  
Zhiyong Ding ◽  
Yuandong Wang ◽  
Weijing Ma
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Metabolic Efficiency ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variations ◽  
Driving Mechanisms ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Bth Region

Abstract Intensive and extensive water consumption and its potential negative impacts are increasingly challenging regional development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region (BTH). It is necessary to enhance the metabolic efficiency of both physical and virtual water, and the latter is often neglected in research and practical fields. The material flow analysis method was employed in evaluating spatiotemporal variations of the Water Resources Metabolism Efficiency (WME) for exploring the inherent driving mechanisms in the BTH region. Results indicate that the WME increased obviously and differently in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, as well as in the whole BTH region from 1990 to 2015. The changes in WME depend significantly on the improvement in society and economics. Water production and water consumption are crucial for the integrated metabolic efficiency of physical and virtual water, followed by other influencing factors, i.e., freshwater recycling use ratio (Rfw), total retail amount of commodities of unit water use (Cw), and industrial output value per cubic metre of water resources (Uio). The results could provide alternative references for efficient and effective utilization of water resources within and beyond similar cities.

scholarly journals Dynamic Material Flow Analysis of PET, PE, and PP Flows in Europe: Evaluation of the Potential for Circular Economy

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (24) ◽  
pp. 16166-16175
Author(s):  
Marie Kampmann Eriksen ◽  
Kostyantyn Pivnenko ◽  
Giorgia Faraca ◽  
Alessio Boldrin ◽  
Thomas Fruergaard Astrup
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Material Flow ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis

Dynamic Material Flow Analysis of Steel Resources in China Based on Circular Economy Theory

2013 ◽  
Vol 813 ◽  
pp. 64-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Wang ◽  
Ze Yi Jiang ◽  
Xin Yi Geng ◽  
Shi Yu Hao
Keyword(s):  
Development Strategy ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Material Flow ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
National Level ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Basic Material

The circular economy (CE) is a new development strategy for China to alleviate the contradiction between rapid economic growth and the shortage of raw materials and energy. As the basic material, steel is a key driver of the world's economy. Therefore, it is essential to set up CE indicators system to understand the mechanism of steel resources role in the circular economy. In this paper, a national level material flow evaluation framework based on CE theory is presented at the first. Then steel resources national lifetime cycle diagram is built based on dynamic Material Flow Analysis (MFA) method considering the steel lifetime circular flow characteristics. Under the guidance of this diagram, the material flow results of various stages (such as production process, fabrication & manufacturing process, in-use process, etc.) of steel lifetime cycle between 2001-2010 in China is obtained, including the end-of-life scarp amount of nine downstream industries. The results indicate that China steel resources has made gratifying achievements in improving productivity, reducing energy consumption and related pollution emission, but the degree of overall circulation remains to be improved urgently. In the end, a sketch of the future relevant policy recommendations are provided.

scholarly journals Contribution Towards a Comprehensive Methodology for Wood-Based Biomass Material Flow Analysis in a Circular Economy Setting

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 106
Author(s):  
Alexandra Marques ◽  
Jorge Cunha ◽  
Annelies De Meyer ◽  
Kranti Navare
Keyword(s):  
Scenario Analysis ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Material Flow ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Wood Resource ◽  
Infrastructure Investments

It is challenging to quantify the production of wood-based biomass, to define the type and where it comes from, how it is used, and the amount that remains available. This information is crucial for the implementation of national and transnational regulations and is a pillar for the development of the future bio-based circular economy. A variety of studies estimate the production of biomass, performs material flow analyses, or addresses supply chain modelling. These studies are often built upon distinct assumptions, tailored to a specific purpose, and often poorly described. This makes comparison amongst studies, generalization of results, or replication hard to even impossible. This paper presents a comprehensive methodology for wood-based biomass material flow analysis, anchored in Material Flow Analysis, built upon literature review and deducted through systematization of previous studies. This is a five-step approach, consisting of (1) adopt proper terminology; (2) obtain accurate estimates for the biomass flows; (3) Sankey diagram for resource balance representation; (4) scenario analysis; (5) stakeholders validation. The focus is to provide instructions for producing a generalized Sankey diagram, from the categorization of biomass resources, uses/applications in a circular economy setting, towards the development of scenario analysis. Its practical implementation is presented by defining the yearly wood-based biomass resource balance of Portugal and the waste wood resource balance of Flanders. The main data sources for the quantification of the biomass sources and uses/applications are identified. Based on the insights from these case studies, our methodological approach already shows to be replicable and with comparable results. This enables the comparison of resource flows between different regions and countries and also monitoring the progress over time. This leads to improved data which can be instruments for supporting companies’ decision-making processes (e.g., infrastructure investments or other strategic decisions), as well as designing policy strategies and incentives.

scholarly journals Emission impacts of China’s solid waste import ban and COVID-19 in the copper supply chain

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Ryter ◽  
Xinkai Fu ◽  
Karan Bhuwalka ◽  
Richard Roth ◽  
Elsa A. Olivetti
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Material Flow ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Price Formation ◽  
Supply Chain Disruptions ◽  
Economic Changes

AbstractClimate change will increase the frequency and severity of supply chain disruptions and large-scale economic crises, also prompting environmentally protective local policies. Here we use econometric time series analysis, inventory-driven price formation, dynamic material flow analysis, and life cycle assessment to model each copper supply chain actor’s response to China’s solid waste import ban and the COVID-19 pandemic. We demonstrate that the economic changes associated with China’s solid waste import ban increase primary refining within China, offsetting the environmental benefits of decreased copper scrap refining and generating a cumulative increase in CO2-equivalent emissions of up to 13 Mt by 2040. Increasing China’s refined copper imports reverses this trend, decreasing CO2e emissions in China (up to 180 Mt by 2040) and globally (up to 20 Mt). We test sensitivity to supply chain disruptions using GDP, mining, and refining shocks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, showing the results translate onto disruption effects.

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