8,533 results
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2. WASTE PAPER MANAGEMENT OF ACADEMIC INSTITUTE: AN ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMICS PERSPECTIVE OF PAPER RECYCLING.
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PIRZADA, ABDUL MAJEED, MALLAH, NABI BAKHSH, ZUBERI, MUHAMMAD HASHIM, and ALI, IMRAN
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PAPER recycling ,RECYCLED paper ,WASTE paper ,WASTE management ,ENVIRONMENTAL economics - Abstract
This research explores the challenges and limitations faced at the basic level for the recycling of paper in an academic institute. It focuses on encouraging recycled paper use rather than bringing traditional virgin paper to prevent the rate of deforestation for reducing global warming. Data was collected from the academic institute via questionnaire and on-site observation and found that the institute was producing approximately 16 tons of wastepaper in a year. Besides that, another purpose of this research is to estimate the energy and assess the environmental effect by using the life cycle assessment as a tool. The results of this study revealed that traditional virgin paper derived from wood proves to be costly and less environmentally friendly than recycled paper. It also revealed that Traditional virgin paper has greater global warming, human toxicity, smog, acidification, and eutrophication potential than recycled paper. This study concludes that recycled paper does not only prove economically beneficent for any institution, but also beneficial for environment as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
3. Life cycle assessment of paper products based on recycled and virgin fiber
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J. Simamora, E.I. Wiloso, and M. Yani
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global warming potential ,life cycle assessment ,paper product ,recycled fiber ,virgin fiber ,Environmental sciences ,GE1-350 - Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Virgin wood fiber and recycled waste paper are the main raw materials for paper production. Virgin wood-fiber paper appears less favorable than recycled paper, as recycled paper generally consumes more natural resources. Some indicators raise questions about the product being recycled, including the amount of solid waste produced during production and carbon emissions, which can occasionally be higher than for paper made from virgin fiber, as it may require more energy to operate. This study presents a comparative life cycle assessment of paper production in Indonesia using wood fibers and recycled fiber materials. This life cycle assessment study aimed to compare two comparable products, namely duplex board with 93 percent recycled fiber and folding boxboard with 100 percent wood or virgin fiber raw materials.METHODS: Both products were represented as one metric ton of the final product. The study utilized a cradle-to-grave system and combined primary data from a paper factory in Indonesia with secondary data from the Ecoinvent database, representing processes in background systems. Various impact assessment methods were employed to evaluate the environmental impact, including the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the Centre for Environmental Studies, International Reference Life Cycle Data System, and the United Nations Environment Program, Society for Environmental Toxicology, and Chemistry toxicity model. All inventory and impact assessments were performed using SimaPro software.FINDINGS: The current study revealed that duplex board is environmentally preferable to folding boxboard across all the impact categories assessed. The results of the impact assessment of global warming potential fossil, acidification, particulates, fossil abiotic depletion, and human toxicity-cancer for duplex board were 1,848.26 kilogram carbon dioxide equivalent, 8.12 kilogram-sulfur-dioxide-equivalent, 2.12 kilogram particulate matter 2.5-equivalent, 14,668.06 megajoule, and 0.0000017 comparative toxic unit, while for folding boxboard 2,651.25 kilogram carbon- dioxide-equivalent, 13.95 kilogram sulfur-dioxide-equivalent, 3.27 kilogram particulate matter 2.5-equivalent, 22,395.81 mega-joule, and 0.0000021 comparative toxic unit, respectively. All impact magnitudes were measured in functional units per 1 ton of paper product.CONCLUSION: The study has revealed the environmental impact of paper products produced in Indonesia. Paper products made from recycled fibers are a more environmentally favorable option when than those produced from virgin fibers. Through further contribution analysis, it was determined that the main contributor to all impact categories in both production systems was fossil-based energy input. Efforts to improve the environmental performance of the two products should focus on enhancing the energy efficiency of the system and incorporating non-fossil fuel energy sources into the production process.
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- 2023
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4. Effects of trace elements (Fe, Cu, Ni, Co and Mg) on biomethane production from paper mill wastewater.
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Toprak, Dilan, Yilmaz, Tülay, Gülpinar, Kerem, Yücel, Amine, Çakmak, Yakup, and Uçar, Deniz
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PAPER mills , *MILLS & mill-work , *RENEWABLE natural gas , *TRACE elements , *COPPER , *SEWAGE , *BATCH reactors - Abstract
Trace elements have a significant effect on biochemical reactions and therefore the presence of optimum levels of trace elements is essential for bioreactor performances. In this study, the effects of five trace elements on biomethane production have been investigated. Experimental studies have been carried out with multiple batch reactors at 15 day HRT and mesophilic temperatures. The optimum concentrations for each of the trace elements Fe, Cu, Ni, Co and Mg were found as 5, 0.5, 0.5, 0.5 and 100 mg/L, respectively. Among tested trace elements, Cu was the one which provided the highest biomethane production. Cu addition was resulted in a 46 % increase in biomethane production followed by Co with 24 %. The biomethane production rate for these two trace elements was 191.70 and 110.77 ml CH4/g COD, respectively. Optimum levels for Ni, Fe and Mg increased biomethane production rate by approximately 14.3, 10 and 17 % compared to control groups, respectively. Because the exact amount of trace element requirement for each industry/reactor is different, specific case studies should be performed for each application. These results could be used as initial trace element concentrations for further continuous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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5. Life cycle assessment of paper and plastic grocery bags used in Sri Lankan supermarkets
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Pitawala, P., Danthurebandara, M., and Rajapaksha, L.
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- 2022
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6. Life cycle assessment of paper mill wastewater: a case study in Viet Nam
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Hiep Nghia Bui, Yi-Ching Chen, Anh Thi Pham, Si Ling Ng, Kun-Yi Andrew Lin, Ngan Quang Viet Nguyen, and Ha Manh Bui
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internal circulation reactor ,life cycle assessment ,recipe ,recycled paper wastewater ,uasb ,Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering ,TD1-1066 - Abstract
Although in a critical position in the economy, the paper industry releases a lot of wastewater that requires adequate treatment for sustainable development. This study presents an application of Life cycle assessment (LCA) with the ReCiPe tool on the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of a paper factory in Vietnam to evaluate the environmental effect of the individual techniques in WWTP, especially the internal circulation (IC) reactor, a pioneer and practical anaerobic technology. Both Midpoint and Endpoint categories results demonstrated that chemical use and electricity consumption mainly contributed to the environmental impact in the WWTP. The Dissolved air flotation (DAF) and Moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) are classified as effective techniques to reduce the impacts on the environment. Moreover, the comparison of LCA between IC and up-flow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) shows that IC is the better practically green technique for the environment. HIGHLIGHTS Life cycle assessment was applied in a paper mill wastewater treatment plant.; Midpoint and Endpoint indicators were employed to evaluate environmental impact.; Two scenarios of electricity generating from biogas between Internal circulation and up-flow anaerobic sludge bed were investigated.; Chemicals use and energy consumption were determined to be the most factors to damage indicators.;
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- 2022
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7. "Papering" Over Space and Place: Product Carbon Footprint Modeling in the Global Paper Industry
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Newell, Joshua P. and Vos, Robert O.
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- 2011
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8. Activation of waste paper: Influence of varied chemical agents on product properties.
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Inkoua, Stelgen, Li, Chao, Kontchouo, Félix Mérimé Bkangmo, Sun, Kai, Zhang, Shu, Gholizadeh, Mortaza, Wang, Yi, and Hu, Xun
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WASTE paper , *ACTIVATED carbon , *POROSITY , *ELECTRODE performance , *GREENHOUSE effect , *POLLUTION , *DEIONIZATION of water - Abstract
[Display omitted] Scheme 1. Schematic illustration of the procedures for activation of WP. • Activating WP with K 2 C 2 O 4 , H 3 PO 4 or ZnCl 2 forms products of distinct nature. • H 3 PO 4 /ZnCl 2 catalyzes formed more bio-oil but less gas, and K 2 C 2 O 4 is opposite. • K 2 C 2 O 4 and ZnCl 2 are more effective than H 3 PO 4 for creating pores from WP. • ZnCl 2 creates abundant macropores via converting fibers in WP to graphitic crystals. • K 2 C 2 O 4 shows lower environmental impact than ZnCl 2 in activating WP. Waste paper (WP) is rich in cellulose, which can be activated to produce porous carbon, bio-oil, and combustible gases. During chemical activation of WP, the use of varied chemical agents not only generates activated carbon of distinct pore structure but also bio-oil/gases of different property. In this study, the activation of WP with varied chemical agents was conducted. The distinct characteristics of activated carbon and also bio-oil/gases were correlated with the different nature of the used chemical agents. The results indicated that H 3 PO 4 and ZnCl 2 catalyzed polymerization reactions for producing more bio-oil while less gases owing to their Brønsted and Lewis acidic sites. K 2 C 2 O 4 showed high activity for cracking/gasification reactions, forming bio-oil with higher abundance of organics with smaller π-conjugated structures. In addition, ZnCl 2 could create a very coarse porous structure with abundant macropores via destroying fiber structure in WP and promoting the growth of graphitic crystals. In comparison, K 2 C 2 O 4 hindered the aromatization and facilitated the formation of amorphous activated carbon. K 2 C 2 O 4 and ZnCl 2 were much more effective than H 3 PO 4 for creating micropores and mesopores from WP, the derived activated carbon showed superior performances as the electrode of supercapacitor and adsorbent for adsorption of oxytetracycline from aqueous solution. In addition, K 2 C 2 O 4 as activating agent showed lower environmental impact than ZnCl 2 in terms of energy consumption, environmental pollution and the greenhouse effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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9. Alkali activation of paper industry lime mud and assessment of its application in cementless binder
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Prabhat Vashistha, Kebede A. Moges, and Sukhoon Pyo
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Activated lime mud ,Cementless binder ,Hydration analysis ,Leaching analysis ,Life cycle assessment ,Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) ,TA1-2040 ,Building construction ,TH1-9745 - Abstract
This study revealed that the application of lime mud (LM) aids in construction materials that is sustainably economical, energy-efficient, and environmentally beneficial. A 2 M NaOH solution composed of 70% LM and 30% NaOH dissolved LM, and formed more reactive calcium hydroxide and carbonates, like thermonatrite and Pirssonite. It was confirmed with XRD, FTIR, and TGA of activated LM. Activated LM and untreated LM were used to prepare blends with ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and silica fume. Activated LM was found to be compelling in the improvement of the reactivity of binder paste for all substitution extents and resulted in superior compressive quality in comparison to binder with untreated LM. Mineralogical analysis and an isothermal calorimeter showed the development of more hydration products and heat of hydration in binder pastes with activated LM. The leaching test and life cycle analysis also highlight the effectiveness of the proposed method.
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- 2023
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10. A Desk Study Based on SWOT Analysis: An Adaptation of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in the Pulp and Paper Industry
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Pulansari Farida, Nugraha Isna, and Adi Saputro Erwan
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paper industry ,reverse logistics ,life cycle assessment ,desk study ,swot analysis ,Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) ,TA1-2040 - Abstract
Today, the industrial world is experiencing intense competition with challenges related to environmental issues, and the domestic paper industry is no exception. This study is a follow-up of the research conducted by Palupi et al. (2015) at Company X which, through an LCA study, found an acute water ecotoxicity value of 7.16 kPt, a chronic water ecotoxicity value of 6.5 kPt, and a soil human toxicity value of 2.69 kPt. However, that study did not come with a SWOT matrix. Therefore, using a desk study,the present study aimed to map a SWOT matrix. A desk study based on SWOT analysis from 12 international journals and two national journals sourced from Elsevier, IWA Publishing, MDPI Publisher, Taylor & Francis, and Garuda was used to determine the SWOT matrix. Desk studies have the objective of comprehensively evaluating published journal articles, books, and other sources on given problem domains.Based on the results of the study, some recommendations for actions on the internal and external factors of the company are offered, consiting of steps for the company to mitigate identified weaknesses and threats.This study found that most of the pulp and paper industry engaged in internal strengths and external opportunities and faced numerous internal weaknesses and external threats. Currently, Company X occupied the first quadrant (Growth), indicating that the company was in a highly profitable condition. The company was enjoying many strengths and opportunities. Therefore, it is critical for the company to use its strengths to capture opportunities to minimize its emissions to the environment and to implement LCA in the company.
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- 2022
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11. Utilization of paper mill lime mud to partially replace fillers in cementless ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC).
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Oinam, Yanchen, Moges, Kebede Alemayehu, Vashistha, Prabhat, and Pyo, Sukhoon
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CARBON emissions , *PAPER mills , *FILLER materials , *PRODUCT life cycle assessment , *MUD - Abstract
This study investigates the impact of incorporating lime mud (LM) as a filler material to develop sustainable, cementless ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) by replacing silica powder (SP) and silica sand (SS) at varying percentages. Flowability analysis reveals that LM, with its distinctive particle size, influences flow characteristics differently at different replacement levels. Compressive strength was improved by 5.4% with 30% SP replacement, showcasing the role of LM in nucleation, as well as its particle size advantage. The heat of hydration analysis indicates that LM likely influences the early curing stages, enhancing reactivity and nucleation. TGA analysis also confirms that LM plays a role in hydration reaction, influencing weight loss and hydration peaks. The mercury intrusion porosimeter results show the impact of LM on pore distribution, with 30% for SP and 50% for SS replacements, favoring denser matrices. Life cycle assessment (LCA) demonstrates reduced CO 2 emissions and favorable environmental performance, highlighting the sustainability potential of LM replacements. Overall, the incorporation of LM in UHPC shows promise in terms of enhancing its mechanical properties and environmental sustainability. [Display omitted] • Lime mud (LM) in UHPC boosts material strength, leading to denser, more effective concrete. • LM enhances hydration, flowability, and refines pore structure. • High LM ratios in UHPC increase sustainability and reduce CO 2 emissions. • LM's use in UHPC significantly advances its mechanical properties and eco-friendliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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12. Life cycle assessment of plastic and paper-based ultra high frequency RFID tags.
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Aliakbarian, Bahar, Ghirlandi, Stefano, Rizzi, Antonio, Stefanini, Roberta, and Vignali, Giuseppe
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GREENHOUSE gases ,SCIENTIFIC literature ,PRODUCT life cycle assessment ,MANUFACTURING processes ,RAW materials - Abstract
The aim of the work is to assess the environmental impacts of Ultra High Frequency RFID tags. Through a Life Cycle Assessment approach, two case studies have been investigated, namely a standard plastic and a paper-based tags. Primary data on tags' components, manufacturing and transportation were collected, while secondary data for the raw materials processing and tags' end of life were retrieved. The Recipe Midpoint method was used to evaluate the impacts. Results show that, for both tags, the greatest contributions to global warming, terrestrial acidification, mineral and fossil resource scarcity are due to raw material extraction (more than 50%) and manufacturing phase (30–50%), which resulted impactful also on the ionizing radiation (70%). Interestingly, the paper tag allows to save up to 23% of the greenhouse gas emissions and decreases the impact on the above-mentioned categories, resulting the eco-friendly option. The conclusion of the work contributes to update the scientific literature, still poor in RFID environmental evaluations, and are useful for researchers interested in comparing the traditional handling systems' impacts to the RFID scenario. Furthermore, the outcomes will be used as input for subsequent research, aimed at developing a tool to measure the return on the environment of RFID deployments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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13. Environmental analysis of producing biochar and energy recovery from pulp and paper mill biosludge.
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Mohammadi, Ali, Sandberg, Maria, Venkatesh, G., Eskandari, Samieh, Dalgaard, Tommy, Joseph, Stephen, and Granström, Karin
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PAPER pulp , *PULP mills , *PAPER mills , *BIOCHAR , *GREENHOUSE gas mitigation , *INCINERATION , *HYDROTHERMAL carbonization , *SOIL amendments - Abstract
Sweden is one of the largest exporters of pulp and paper products in the world. It follows that huge quantities of sludge rich in carbonaceous organic material and containing heavy metals are generated. This paper carried out a comparative environmental analysis of three different technologies, which can be adopted to produce biochar and recover energy from the biosludge, using landfilling as the reference case. These three thermochemical biosludge management systems—using incineration, pyrolysis, and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC)—were modeled using life cycle assessment (LCA). Heat generated in the incineration process (System A) was considered to be for captive consumption within the kraft pulp mills. It was assumed that the biochars—pyrochar and hydrochar—produced from pyrolysis (System B) and HTC (System C), respectively, were added to the forest soils. The LCA results show that all the alternative systems considerably improve the environmental performance of biosludge management, relative to landfilling. For all systems, there are net reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (–0.89, –1.43, and –1.13 tonnes CO2‐equivalent per tonne dry matter biosludge in Systems A, B, and C, respectively). System B resulted in the lowest potential eutrophication and terrestrial ecotoxicity impacts, whereas System C had the least acidification potential. The results of this analysis show that, from an environmental point of view, biochar soil amendment as an alternative method for handling pulp and paper mill biosludge is preferable to energy recovery. However, an optimal biochar system needs to factor in the social and economic contexts as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
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14. Investigation of green practices for paper use reduction onboard a cruise ship—a life cycle approach
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Strazza, Carlo, Del Borghi, Adriana, Gallo, Michela, Manariti, Roberta, and Missanelli, Emanuela
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- 2015
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15. The ISO 14067 approach to open-loop recycling of paper products: Making it operational.
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Hohenthal, Catharina, Leon, Jorge, Dobon, Antonio, Kujanpää, Marjukka, Meinl, Gert, Ringman, Jori, Hortal, Mercedes, and Forsström, Ulla
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PAPER products , *PAPER recycling , *PAPER industry , *ALLOCATION (Accounting) , *CARDBOARD , *PAPER pulp - Abstract
Allocating environmental impacts within life cycle assessment (LCA) is a recognised methodological problem. Different allocation methods have been developed to fulfil the various goals of LCA studies. At present, there is neither a consensus regarding the method to be used nor a one-fits-all method for dealing with recycling in LCA. The paper discusses some of the main allocation procedures practised in the pulp and paper industry, namely those covered by ISO/TS 14067:2018, GHG Protocol/PAS 2050, and the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF). All in all, the allocation method described in the ISO/TS 14067:2018 standard was considered the most appropriate to account for open-loop recycling of paper products. However, the method neither considers the number of subsequent uses of recycled fibres, nor the recycled fibre age. Yet, both of them are considered especially important in the open-loop recycling of paper products. In order to account for these aspects, the present study proposes an advanced, step-wise approach to handle allocation in LCAs accounting for the open-loop recycling of paper products. The advanced approach is based on the fibre mass flow model used to calculate the mean fibre age and the mean number of uses of paper products within the European context. The approach was validated with the data from the pulp and paper industry, particularly examining the newsprint paper grade with different contents of recycled fibre and fibre age. The paper, however, introduces all the parameters required to perform allocation based on the proposed method for other paper grades. The categpory of global warming potential was considered in the study as an illustrative example. yet the method could be applied to other impact assessment categories. The results calculated using the proposed allocation approach were compared to those obtained with the allocation methods described in the GHG Protocol/PAS 2050 and the PEF. The proposed allocation method can be used to guide further development of available standards and the product category rules, which will contribute to increased harmonisation and consistency of LCA studies in the pulp and paper sector, as well as to the enhanced practical implementation of LCA in industry. • A science based method for open loop recycling in life cycle assessment. • European fiber flow model used for calculation of fiber age and mean number of uses. • For product environmental footprint calculations of paper and board products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2019
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16. Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost of an Innovative Carbon Paper Sensor for 17α-Ethinylestradiol and Comparison with the Classical Chromatographic Method
- Author
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Martins, Florinda, Torrinha, Álvaro, Delerue-Matos, Cristina, Morais, Simone, and Repositório Científico do Instituto Politécnico do Porto
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Carbon paper ,Chromatography ,Electroanalysis ,Green analytical chemistry ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,Geography, Planning and Development ,Building and Construction ,Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law ,Life cycle cost ,Contaminants of emerging concern ,Life cycle assessment ,Ethinylestradiol ,carbon paper ,chromatography ,contaminants of emerging concern ,electroanalysis ,ethinylestradiol ,green analytical chemistry ,life cycle assessment ,life cycle cost ,sensor ,Sensor - Abstract
Nowadays there is a growing concern with the environment and sustainability, which means that better methods, including pollutants analysis, with less consumption of materials, organic solvents, and energy, need to be developed. Considering the almost inexistent information about the topic, the main goal of this work was to compare the environmental impacts of two analytical methods, a traditional one based on liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and a newly developed carbon paper sensor. The selected analyte was 17α-ethinylestradiol, which is a contaminant of emergent concern in aquatic ecosystems due to its endocrine disruptor behavior. The life cycle assessment data showed that the sensor detection presents an almost negligible environmental impact when compared with the extraction step (the same for both methods) and the liquid chromatographic determination (roughly 80 times higher than with the sensor). The sensor values for all categories of damage are below 3% of the total method impacts, i.e., 1.6, 1.9, 2.4, and 2.9% for resources, climate change, human health, and ecosystem quality. The extraction represents 98.1% of the sensor environmental impacts (and 99.6% of its life cycle costing) and 38.8% of the chromatographic method. This study evidences the need of developing and applying greener analytical (detection and extraction) strategies, This work was financed by FEDER—Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional funds through the COMPETE 2020—Operacional Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalization (POCI), and by Portuguese funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia in the framework of the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029547—PTDC/ASP-PES/29547/2017. This work received support by UIDB/50006/2020, UIDP/50006/2020 and LA/P/0008/2020 by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior (MCTES) through national funds.
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- 2022
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17. Overestimated carbon emission of the pulp and paper industry in China.
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Man, Yi, Yan, Yukun, Wang, Xu, Ren, Jingzheng, Xiong, Qingang, and He, Zhenglei
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PAPER industry , *CARBON emissions , *GREENHOUSE gases , *PRODUCT life cycle assessment , *ENERGY consumption , *CARBON nanofibers - Abstract
China is the top emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. Pulp and paper industry is one of eight the strictly regulated industries about carbon emission in China. However, estimates of carbon emissions from China's pulp and paper industry have been suffered from remarkable uncertainty. It is summarized that is aroused by the inaccuracy of factors evaluating energy consumption, and the huge gap between the calculation standards for assessing energy consumption in the production process and the actual level recorded in the factories. This paper re-evaluated the carbon emission of China's pulp and paper industry from the perspective of life cycle assessment, and applied more accurate emission factors, taking account of the actual energy consumption of the production process in factories, to estimate the actual carbon emissions in maximum. It is found that the national standards about the energy consumption quota of China's pulp and paper industry is no longer applicable, and the actual energy consumption regulated in the production process is far better than the advanced level given by the national standards. The greenhouse gas emission have been seriously overestimated approximately 12.00%–56.17% by international organizations. • Life Cycle Analysis of the China's pulp and paper Industry is conducted thoroughly. • The pulp flow of China's pulp and paper Industry is analyzed. • Energy regulated in factory is far better than the national standards' required. • Carbon emissions of China's pulp and paper Industry are overestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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18. Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of cogeneration energy hubs at Japanese paper mills with thermal energy storage.
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Yamaki, Ayumi, Fujii, Shoma, Kanematsu, Yuichiro, and Kikuchi, Yasunori
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GREENHOUSE gases , *PAPER mills , *LIFE cycles (Biology) , *HEAT storage , *COGENERATION of electric power & heat , *WIND power , *GAS flow , *ENERGY storage - Abstract
Variable renewable energy-based power is expected to increase toward a sustainable society, although the power cannot be dispatched effectively due to its intermittent nature. To accelerate renewable energy implementation, we simulated energy flows of paper mills installing wind energy and evaluated their potentials to function as energy hubs for appropriate early-stage design. We targeted 39 Japanese paper mills assumed to have thermal energy storage, wind–thermal energy converters and regional woody biomass installed, and analyzed the amount of power and heat selling and life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. The results for the paper mills were compared with conventional mills to examine effective conditions for greenhouse gas reduction. The amount of power or heat selling depended on the capacity of the paper mill and the installed equipment. Most paper mills could reduce greenhouse gas using thermal energy storage, wind energy, and woody biomass. The paper mill with the highest life cycle greenhouse gas reduction, compared with conventional mills, could achieve a 190% reduction. To function as a cogeneration energy hub, the equipment installed in paper mills should be designed according to the conditions of the paper mills and their regions. • Paper mills have potential as energy hubs by integrating variable renewable energy. • Thermal energy storage and wind–thermal energy converters were studied. • Energy flows and greenhouse gas emissions of paper mills were simulated. • Most mills could provide stable power and/or heat supplies and reduce emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
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19. Paper-based building envelopes – Environmental and performance assessment of original and literature-based designs.
- Author
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Jasiolek, Agata
- Abstract
Building walls are responsible for the highest share of environmental impact among other building elements and the whole building envelope is linked to nearly half of the energy embodied in the building. One of the sustainable materials that may be applied in building envelopes to reduce their impact is paper, e.g. corrugated cardboard or paperboard. Although environmental qualities are considered the key advantage of paper, the environmental properties of previously proposed designs were rarely assessed nor compared to conventional building envelopes. Therefore, the aim of this research is to analyse the performance and environmental impact of selected paper-based envelopes, compare them with conventional alternatives based on steel and timber, and indicate key factors influencing their environmental performance. Moreover, the article proposes two original paper-based envelopes with favourable environmental characteristics. The environmental analysis was conducted via Life Cycle Assessment, using the midpoint CML method and the endpoint ReCiPe method with a single indicator. LCA was based on the Ecoinvent 3.8 database and supplemented with sensitivity analysis. LCA results were compared with performance assessment. It has been shown, that replacement of conventional envelopes with paper-based ones, especially in buildings with a limited lifespan, may reduce their environmental impact and the amount of waste generated. In conclusion, a series of recommendations for sustainable paper-based envelope designs are formulated. [Display omitted] • Paper-based building envelopes may reduce buildings' environmental impact. • A combination of LCA and performance analyses may be used for envelopes' assessment. • Envelopes with embedded structural elements are preferable to sandwich structures. • Durable yet sustainable claddings are crucial for paper-based envelopes' performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
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20. Quantifying GHG emissions savings potential in magazine paper production: a case study on supercalendered and light-weight coated papers.
- Author
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Leon, Jorge, Aliaga, Cesar, Boulougouris, George, Hortal, Mercedes, and Marti, Juan Luis
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GREENHOUSE gas mitigation , *PAPER coatings , *PAPER industry , *EMISSIONS (Air pollution) , *PERIODICAL publishing , *ENVIRONMENTAL impact analysis - Abstract
Purpose The aim of this work is to quantify the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions savings potential in magazine paper production through the application of the innovative manufacturing strategies using advanced sheet structure design and fibre modifications. Methods The study applies Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to two different magazine paper products: supercalendered (SC) paper and light-weight coated (LWC) paper. A cradle-to-gate approach is used aiming to assess the environmental benefits gained through the implementation of new manufacturing strategies in both products. The functional unit of the system was defined as the production of one square meter of finished paper for printing magazines. Conventional and new production processes have been compared. Results and discussion The strategies applied to SC paper resulted in reduction of GHG emissions by 22.9%, with a total of 10.7 gCO 2 eq emissions saved per square meter of SC paper. In the case of LWC paper, GHG emissions are reduced by 20.3%, which are equal to a total of 19.7 gCO 2 eq saved per square meter of LWC paper. The influence of certain methodological approaches -functional unit, electricity mix and avoided impacts- in the final results is also discussed in the paper. Conclusions The manufacturing strategies implemented show a remarkable potential for reducing GHG emissions. Taking into account that the pulp and paper industry is a very energy-intensive sector and one of the main GHG emitters, the potential of the strategies for the improvement of the environmental performance of the papermaking processes is significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
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21. Environmental assessment of the recycled paper production: The effects of energy supply source
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Carmen Ferrara and Giovanni De Feo
- Subjects
Municipal solid waste ,020209 energy ,Geography, Planning and Development ,TJ807-830 ,02 engineering and technology ,010501 environmental sciences ,Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law ,TD194-195 ,01 natural sciences ,Renewable energy sources ,Cogeneration ,Life cycle assessment ,Natural gas ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,GE1-350 ,Recycling ,Energy supply ,Life-cycle assessment ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Energy ,Environmental effects of industries and plants ,Waste management ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,business.industry ,Energy consumption ,Waste paper ,Renewable energy ,Sustainability ,Environmental sciences ,Environmental science ,business ,Thermal energy - Abstract
The main aim of the study was to assess the environmental performance, through the application of the life cycle assessment, of a recycled paper production process focusing on the energy aspect. The production process occurred in a paper mill that produces packaging paper using paper and cardboard from source separation of municipal solid waste as raw materials. Two scenarios (S1 and S2) were defined by their energy supply sources. A cogeneration (CHP) system using natural gas for the combined production of thermal and electric energy was the source in S1. The Italian electricity grid (using the Italian country mix) and a natural gas boiler were the separate sources for electric and thermal energy, respectively, in S2. Finally, in order to evaluate the environmental effects on the results of the study about the variation in the natural gas supply source, four alternative Italian import mixes (M1, M2, M3, and M4) were defined by varying the contribution of the supplier countries. The environmental impacts were evaluated with ReCiPe 2016 (H) using both midpoint and endpoint approaches. The results showed that for both the scenarios, the energy consumption was the main cause of impacts mainly because of the natural gas contribution. The presence of the cogeneration (CHP) system generated significant environmental benefits compared with the use of energy provided by more conventional sources. The production and use of chemicals as well as the disposal of waste produced during the paper production were other environmental hotspots. The variation in the composition of the Italian import mix of natural gas, in terms of the supplier country’s contribution, had a significant influence on the results. The import of natural gas from Russia was the most impactful option. Since Russia is the country that contributes to the Italian import mix the most, in the next years, the use of natural gas in Italy could become increasingly impactful. Therefore, the replacement of natural gas with renewable sources is an urgent priority.
- Published
- 2021
22. Detailed life cycle assessment of Bounty® paper towel operations in the United States.
- Author
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Ingwersen, Wesley, Gausman, Maria, Weisbrod, Annie, Sengupta, Debalina, Lee, Seung-Jin, Bare, Jane, Zanoli, Ed, Bhander, Gurbakash S., and Ceja, Manuel
- Subjects
- *
PAPER towels , *PAPER towel manufacturing , *SUSTAINABILITY , *CONSUMER goods , *GREENHOUSE gases - Abstract
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a well-established and informative method of understanding the environmental impacts of consumer products across the entire value chain. However, companies committed to sustainability are interested in more methods that examine their products and activities' impacts. Methods that build on LCA strengths and illuminate other connected but less understood facets, related to social and economic impacts, would provide greater value to decision-makers. This study is a LCA that calculates the potential impacts associated with Bounty ® paper towels from two facilities with different production lines, an older one (Albany, Georgia) representing established technology and the other (Box Elder, Utah), a newer state-of-the-art platform. This is unique in that it includes use of Industrial Process Systems Assessment (IPSA), new electricity and pulp data, modeled in open source software, and is the basis for the development of new integrated sustainability metrics (published separately). The new metrics can guide supply chain and manufacturing enhancements, and product design related to environmental protection and resource sustainability. Results of the LCA indicate Box Elder had improvements on environmental impact scores related to air emission indicators, except for particulate matter. Albany had lower water use impacts. After normalization of the results, fossil fuel depletion is the most critical environmental indicator. Pulp production, electricity, and fuels for product production drive fossil fuel depletion. Climate change, land occupation, and particulate matter are also relevant. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by pulp, electricity, papermaking, and landfill methane from the disposed product, drive climate change impacts. Pulp provides significant offsets to balance climate change impacts due to sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Ninety-nine percent of land occupation is for the growth of the trees for pulp production. Papermaking, electricity, and pulp production cause the most potential particular matter formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
23. Comparative life cycle assessments: The case of paper and digital media.
- Author
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Bull, Justin G. and Kozak, Robert A.
- Subjects
PAPER products ,DIGITAL media ,WRITTEN communication ,INFORMATION & communication technologies ,ENVIRONMENTAL impact analysis ,PRINT materials - Abstract
Abstract: The consumption of the written word is changing, as media transitions from paper products to digital alternatives. We reviewed the life cycle assessment (LCA) research literature that compared the environmental footprint of digital and paper media. To validate the role of context in influencing LCA results, we assessed LCAs that did not compare paper and print, but focused on a product or component that is part of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. Using a framework that identifies problems in LCA conduct, we assessed whether the comparative LCAs were accurate expressions of the environmental footprints of paper and print. We hypothesized that the differences between the product systems that produce paper and digital media weaken LCA's ability to compare environmental footprints. We also hypothesized that the characteristics of ICT as an industrial sector weaken LCA as an environmental assessment methodology. We found that existing comparative LCAs offered problematic comparisons of paper and digital media for two reasons — the stark material differences between ICT products and paper products, and the unique characteristics of the ICT sector. We suggested that the context of the ICT sector, best captured by the concept of “Moore's Law”, will continuously impede the ability of the LCA methodology to measure ICT products. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
24. Pathways to decarbonization, circular construction, and sustainability in the built environment
- Author
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Calle Müller, Claudia, Pradhananga, Piyush, and ElZomor, Mohamed
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
25. Combining Energy Management Indicators and Life Cycle Assessment Indicators to Promote Sustainability in a Paper Production Plant
- Author
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Edwin Espinel Blanco, Guillermo Valencia Ochoa, and Jorge Duarte Forero
- Subjects
energy management system ,ISO 50001 standard ,performance indicators ,life cycle assessment ,sustainability ,Science - Abstract
This paper presents the application of an energy characterization method based on the ISO 50001 standard in a dry paper production plant. This plant operates using electricity, gas, and coal as energy sources. The last two energy sources are used to produce the steam and hot air used in the paper drying process. Through energy characterization, indicators such as energy baseline and consumption indicators were calculated for the plant, with which improvement opportunities were identified. These improvement opportunities were used as case studies for each energy source used and were based on the actual state of the plant. 2011 Midpoint+ ILCD method data was selected from the Ecoinvent database, using OpenLCA 1.7.0 for the energy assessment. The impact categories analyzed in this study were ecotoxicity, eutrophication of rivers and seas, climate change, and human toxicity. As a result of this work, it was found that energy-saving was possible by adjusting the production rate to a load factor of 77%, which implies a gas consumption of 1.6 kWh/kg and a value in the climate change category of 88.5 kg of CO2 equivalent. In addition, some technological improvement opportunities were economical and environmentally evaluated as a result of the sustainable improvement strategy implemented with energy management and life cycle assessment. The study of these technological opportunities showed that in order to achieve a sustainable industrial process, it is important to take into account energy, economic, and environmental criteria in the continuous improvement of the paper production process. In addition, it is of vital importance to analyze alternatives for technological change, which have a greater impact than operational alternatives according to energy, environmental and economic criteria.
- Published
- 2020
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26. Comparisons of four categories of waste recycling in China's paper industry based on physical input-output life-cycle assessment model
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
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27. Life cycle analysis results for engine blisk LCA
- Author
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Fricke, Kilian, Bergs, Thomas, Ganser, Philipp, and Seimann, Martin
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. A comparative life cycle assessment of conventional hand dryer and roll paper towel as hand drying methods.
- Author
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Joseph, Tijo, Baah, Kelly, Jahanfar, Ali, and Dubey, Brajesh
- Subjects
- *
HAND dryers , *PAPER towels , *DRYING , *ENVIRONMENTAL impact analysis , *SENSITIVITY analysis , *UNCERTAINTY (Information theory) - Abstract
A comparative life cycle assessment, under a cradle to gate scope, was carried out between two hand drying methods namely conventional hand dryer use and dispenser issued roll paper towel use. The inventory analysis for this study was aided by the deconstruction of a hand dryer and dispenser unit besides additional data provided by the Physical Resources department, from the product system manufacturers and information from literature. The LCA software SimaPro, supported by the ecoinvent and US-EI databases, was used towards establishing the environmental impacts associated with the lifecycle stages of both the compared product systems. The Impact 2002 + method was used for classification and characterization of these environmental impacts. An uncertainty analysis addressing key input data and assumptions made, a sensitivity analysis covering the use intensity of the product systems and a scenario analysis looking at a US based use phase for the hand dryer were also conducted. Per functional unit, which is to achieve a pair of dried hands, the dispenser product system has a greater life cycle impact than the dryer product system across three of four endpoint impact categories. The use group of lifecycle stages for the dispenser product system, which represents the cradle to gate lifecycle stages associated with the paper towels, constitutes the major portion of this impact. For the dryer product system, the use group of lifecycle stages, which essentially covers the electricity consumption during dryer operation, constitutes the major stake in the impact categories. It is evident from the results of this study that per dry, for a use phase supplied by Ontario's grid (2010 grid mix scenario) and a United States based manufacturing scenario, the use of a conventional hand dryer (rated at 1800 W and under a 30 s use intensity) has a lesser environmental impact than with using two paper towels (100% recycled content, unbleached and weighing 4 g) issued from a roll dispenser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
29. Developing a procedure for the integration of Life Cycle Assessment and Emergy Accounting approaches. The Amalfi paper case study
- Author
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Sergio Ulgiati, Elisa Lucagnano, Gabriella Fiorentino, Amalia Zucaro, Remo Santagata, Santagata, R., Zucaro, A., Fiorentino, G., Lucagnano, E., and Ulgiati, S.
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Paper production ,Exploit ,Computer science ,Process (engineering) ,General Decision Sciences ,Accounting ,010501 environmental sciences ,Life Cycle Assessment ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Emergy ,Set (abstract data type) ,LEAF ,Added value ,Integrated framework ,Environmental impact assessment ,Life-cycle assessment ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Ecology ,business.industry ,Environmental assessment ,Sustainability ,Emergy Accounting ,business - Abstract
The analysis of complex systems requires an integrated application of different assessment methods also taking into account different scales and points of view to gain a systemic understanding of the investigated case study. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Emergy Accounting (EMA) are both environmental assessment methods, showing many similarities in the way they are performed, especially with respect to the inventory construction and to the interpretation of results. They also show great differences, the main residing in the different perspectives they give. LCA applies a consumer side perspective, and its space and time scales are set at a boundary capable to include all the process phases in terms of location and durability and their direct impacts on the investigated areas. On the other hand, throughout its donor side perspective, EMA expands the boundaries of the system over the entire biosphere space and time scales. Differences and similarities between LCA and EMA may gain added value by their implementation within a procedural framework which exploits the characteristics of the two methods. The present work proposes a methodological procedure based on the sequential and integrated application of LCA and EMA methods, called LEAF (LCA & EMA Applied Framework). The traditional Amalfi paper production is used as a test case study. The procedure stems include: (i) an ex-ante LCA analysis, to identify the hotspots of the investigated case study; (ii) the assessment of the environmental performance of the system through the development of different EMA-based improvement scenarios built around the chosen hotspots; and (iii) an ex-post LCA application built on each scenario results in order to detect the different environmental burdens. The application of LEAF to the traditional Amalfi paper production shows that the use of a more sustainable energy source is an effective solution (among the set of proposed options) to increase the sustainability of the investigated system.
- Published
- 2020
30. Life cycle assessment of the food waste management with a focus on the collection bag.
- Author
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Dolci, Giovanni, Rigamonti, Lucia, and Grosso, Mario
- Subjects
FOOD waste ,WASTE management ,FOOD industrial waste ,ANAEROBIC digestion ,WASTE treatment ,PAPER bags ,BAGGAGE handling in airports ,LUGGAGE - Abstract
The organic fraction (mainly food waste) is typically the most abundant of the separately collected waste streams. The research aims at investigating the influence of different types of collection bag on the environmental performances of the food waste management chain in Italy. A comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) between two alternative systems based on paper or bioplastic collection bags was carried out. It included the collection bags manufacturing and distribution, their use at the household, the transportation of collected food waste and its subsequent anaerobic digestion, including the valorisation of useful outputs and the management of residues. The two systems were modelled mainly with primary data related to the current management system and to tests performed on bags. The LCA was performed with two different modelling approaches applied in the environmental product declaration (EPD) system and in the product environmental footprint (PEF) studies, respectively. In the scenario representing the average conditions, higher environmental impacts are shown by the use of bioplastic bags compared to paper ones with the EPD approach (+257%/+576%). With the PEF approach, the differences between the two systems are lower (−55%/+133%). Moreover, paper bags could allow for further impact reductions assuming a decrease of the food waste collection frequency, allowed by higher weight losses and a lower generation of leachate and odour during the household storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Life cycle assessment of cellulose packaging materials production: folding box board and kraftliner paper
- Author
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Mourad, Anna Lúcia, da Silva, Henrique Luvison Gomes, and Nogueira, Júlio César Batista
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
32. Energy and carbon coupled water footprint analysis for straw pulp paper production.
- Author
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Ma, Xiaotian, Zhai, Yijie, Zhang, Ruirui, Shen, Xiaoxu, Zhang, Tianzuo, Ji, Changxing, Yuan, Xueliang, and Hong, Jinglan
- Subjects
- *
PULPING , *WATER analysis , *CHEMICAL oxygen demand , *PINCH analysis , *PAPER pulp , *WOOD-pulp - Abstract
Straw pulp in China, which is the world's largest producer of this material, suffers from water and energy shortages during its entire life cycle. However, limited systematic studies have focused on these issues, and decision makers need be provided with improvement methods for the environmental performance. Thus, an impact-oriented energy and carbon coupled water footprint analysis was conducted in this study based on ISO standards. Results showed that the impact of energy consumption and carbon emissions exceeded that of water footprint. Carcinogens, non-carcinogens, and freshwater ecotoxicity also played effective roles in improving the environmental performance. Optimizing key indirect processes, including chemicals production, steam preparation, electricity generation, wood pulping, and fertilizer recovery, dominated the reduction in environmental burdens. Direct freshwater consumption and wastewater disposal played additional effective roles in controlling water footprint. The water network was thus optimized by a water pinch analysis to decrease the freshwater consumption and pollutant emissions by maximum values of 91.5% and 99.7% after optimization, respectively. Meanwhile, carbon dioxide, methane, chromium, arsenic, mercury, titanium, copper, strontium, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, BOD 5 , and COD were the main pollutants. Overall, the environmental impact can be further reduced by diminishing coal power ratio in national energy structure, adopting recovered steam, and considering multistage regeneration water network to cope with different water use demands. • LCA-based energy and carbon coupled water footprint of straw pulp paper was applied. • Optimizing water network by water pinch method gained marked environmental benefit. • Electricity, steam, and chemicals exerted high impact among all inputs considered. • CO 2 , CH 4 , heavy metals, coal, and water were key contributors to footprint impact. • Improving national energy structure and adopting recovered steam were recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
33. Assessing the environmental and economic impacts of adopting circular economy for sustainable resource management in the Indian construction sector
- Author
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Mhatre-Shah, Purva, Gedam, Vidyadhar, and Unnikrishnan, Seema
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Life cycle assessment of waste paper management: The importance of technology data and system boundaries in assessing recycling and incineration.
- Author
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Merrild, Hanna, Damgaard, Anders, and Christensen, Thomas H.
- Subjects
PAPER recycling ,ENVIRONMENTAL impact analysis ,GLOBAL warming ,INCINERATION ,PRODUCT life cycle ,INDUSTRIAL waste incineration ,ECOLOGICAL risk assessment ,FOSSIL fuels ,RECYCLING & the environment - Abstract
Abstract: The significance of technical data, as well as the significance of system boundary choices, when modelling the environmental impact from recycling and incineration of waste paper has been studied by a life cycle assessment focusing on global warming potentials. The consequence of choosing a specific set of data for the reprocessing technology, the virgin paper manufacturing technology and the incineration technology, as well as the importance of the recycling rate was studied. Furthermore, the system was expanded to include forestry and to include fossil fuel energy substitution from saved biomass, in order to study the importance of the system boundary choices. For recycling, the choice of virgin paper manufacturing data is most important, but the results show that also the impacts from the reprocessing technologies fluctuate greatly. For the overall results the choice of the technology data is of importance when comparing recycling including virgin paper substitution with incineration including energy substitution. Combining an environmentally high or low performing recycling technology with an environmentally high or low performing incineration technology can give quite different results. The modelling showed that recycling of paper, from a life cycle point of view, is environmentally equal or better than incineration with energy recovery only when the recycling technology is at a high environmental performance level. However, the modelling also showed that expanding the system to include substitution of fossil fuel energy by production of energy from the saved biomass associated with recycling will give a completely different result. In this case recycling is always more beneficial than incineration, thus increased recycling is desirable. Expanding the system to include forestry was shown to have a minor effect on the results. As assessments are often performed with a set choice of data and a set recycling rate, it is questionable how useful the results from this kind of LCA are for a policy maker. The high significance of the system boundary choices stresses the importance of scientific discussion on how to best address system analysis of recycling, for paper and other recyclable materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
35. Paper vs Leaf: Comparative Life Cycle Assessment Of Single-use Plates Made Of Renewable Materials
- Author
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Korbelyiova, Lucia
- Subjects
Paper ,Life cycle assessment ,Leaf ,Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap ,Sustainable Development ,Earth and Related Environmental Sciences ,Disposable plates - Abstract
Global plastic pollution of the natural environment is extremely detrimental as it is causing deaths of animal species. More than 80 % of marine litter is made up by plastics and 70 % of those are made up by disposable items. For this reason, the European Parliament has agreed to abolish the top ten single-use plastic items found in the marine environment from the EU market from 2021. Therefore, the fossil-based disposables will need to be substituted by disposables made from renewable materials. It is thus important to investigate the environmental impact of these alternatives through their life cycle in order to support sustainable consumption and production. In this study, environmental impact of disposable plates made from two different renewable materials (paper and leaf) were analysed by means of life cycle assessment (LCA). The aim of the study was to examine the environmental performance of the two plates in the impact category global warming potential (GWP); and reveal the processes with the largest contributions to the overall GWP of each plate. The leaf plate was produced in India and the paper plate in the Nordics, however, both plates were used and disposed of in Uppsala, Sweden. The results showed that the leaf plate has a higher GWP due to its long-distance transport and electricity use derived from fossil fuels. Scenario analysis has proved that its GWP can be reduced when sea transport route is chosen instead of flying and production is increased. When it comes to the paper plate life cycle, the processing stage was identified to contribute the most to the total GWP. It could be further improved by applying a biodegradable layer for its coating. To keep the good performance in GWP the plate should be incinerated with energy recovery. The disposal of the plates has a substantial positive influence on their total carbon footprint as both plates substitute use of fossil fuels. However, the credits allocated for the different waste management options are specific to Uppsala and thus the results of this study should be applied only under similar conditions.
- Published
- 2019
36. Life cycle assessment of paper production from treated wood.
- Author
-
M’hamdi, Asmae Ismaili, Kandri, Noureddine Idrissi, Zerouale, Abdelaziz, Blumberga, Dagnija, and Gusca, Julija
- Abstract
The potential health and environmental impacts associated with the improper management of chemically treated wood waste demands the adoption of recycling, and disposal practices. Chemically treated wood waste has several physical and chemical properties which makes it usable for the manufacture of another product to multiple use, among which the production of paper and fuel. This paper presents the initial life cycle assessment (LCA) study on wood waste used for paper production. The study boundary is limited with raw materials (raw wood or waste wood) processing and paper production itself, thus corresponds to “gate-to-gate” life cycle with a special focus on life cycle inventory data on waste wood treatment via hydrolysis process. The results of the analysis demonstrate competitiveness of the waste wood use for paper production vs. raw wood in such environmental categories as human health and ecosystem quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. A comparative cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment of single-use plastic shopping bags and various alternatives available in South Africa.
- Author
-
Stafford, William, Russo, Valentina, and Nahman, Anton
- Subjects
PRODUCT life cycle assessment ,SHOPPING bags ,PLASTIC bags ,PLASTICS ,BIODEGRADABLE plastics ,HIGH density polyethylene ,PAPER bags - Abstract
Purpose: The pervasive use of plastics, coupled with inadequate waste management systems in many countries, has led to widespread leakage of plastics into the environment. In South Africa, the predominant type of shopping bags are single-use plastic bags; but paper, biodegradable plastic and re-usable bags have emerged as alternatives. To compare these alternatives in terms of environmental impacts across the whole product life cycle, we carried out a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) of 16 shopping bag types available in South Africa. Methods: The comparison includes single-use plastic, bioplastic and paper bags, as well as re-usable bags (typically made from plastic in South Africa). The functional unit was based on the estimated annual volume of groceries purchased per capita. An attributional LCA was carried out using the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint(H) method, with 18 mid-point impact categories. In addition, given the lack of an impact category for plastic pollution in existing methods, we developed a mid-point indicator based on the persistence of plastics (and other materials) leaked to the environment (Persistence of leaked material, Persistence
LM ). Specific attention was placed on modelling end-of-life and waste management in the South African context. Economic-based allocation at the point of substitution was used to apportion environmental impacts to virgin and recyclate material, and the production of recyclate was modelled using system expansion. Results and discussion: Re-usable bag types, specifically the 70 µm High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and non-woven Polyester bags, had the lowest environmental impacts for all indicators, except PersistenceLM . Paper and biodegradable plastic bags had a lower PersistenceLM impact as compared to the petro-based plastic bags, and therefore may be preferable in terms of avoiding plastics accumulating in the environment. The re-usable bags need to be used at least 3 to 10 times to offer lower environmental impacts than single-use ones. Among the single-use bags, biodegradable bags made from imported Polybutylene Adipate Terepthalate (PBAT) plus starch showed the lowest environmental impacts across all impact categories, including PersistenceLM , followed by the Paper bag. The single-use 24 µm HDPE bag (HDPE_24) with no recycled content had the highest overall environmental impacts, while increasing the recycled content reduced overall environmental impacts by up to 52%. Compared to other countries, the high environmental impacts of plastic bags in South Africa can largely be attributed to the coal-to-liquids process used for polymer production, which is intensive in terms of both energy and raw materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. Preliminary Study on the Potential Utilization of Oil Palm Biomass for Tissue Paper: A Life Cycle Perspective
- Author
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SETIAWAN, Arief Ameir Rahman, PUTRA, Agusta Samodra, SARI, Ajeng Arum, and WILOSO, Edi Iswanto
- Subjects
life cycle assessment ,global warming potential ,tissue paper ,oil palm biomass - Published
- 2021
39. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) comparison of three management options for waste papers: Bioethanol production, recycling and incineration with energy recovery
- Author
-
Wang, Lei, Templer, Richard, and Murphy, Richard J.
- Subjects
- *
PAPER recycling , *ETHANOL as fuel , *COMPARATIVE studies , *INCINERATION , *WASTE products as fuel , *LIME (Minerals) , *ENVIRONMENTAL impact analysis , *EMISSIONS (Air pollution) - Abstract
Abstract: This study uses Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to assess the environmental profiles and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for bioethanol production from waste papers and to compare them with the alternative waste management options of recycling or incineration with energy recovery. Bioethanol production scenarios both with and without pre-treatments were conducted. It was found that an oxidative lime pre-treatment reduced GHG emissions and overall environmental burdens for a newspaper-to-bioethanol process whereas a dilute acid pre-treatment raised GHG emissions and overall environmental impacts for an office paper-to-bioethanol process. In the comparison of bioethanol production systems with alternative management of waste papers by different technologies, it was found that the environmental profiles of each system vary significantly and this variation affects the outcomes of the specific comparisons made. Overall, a number of configurations of bioethanol production from waste papers offer environmentally favourable or neutral profiles when compared with recycling or incineration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. The ISO 14067 approach to open-loop recycling of paper products: Making it operational
- Author
-
Gert Meinl, Jori Ringman, Catharina Hohenthal, Jorge A. León, Mercedes Hortal, Antonio Dobon, Marjukka Kujanpää, and Ulla Forsström
- Subjects
Computer science ,020209 energy ,Strategy and Management ,ta1172 ,Allocation ,Fibre age ,Open-loop recycling ,02 engineering and technology ,Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering ,12. Responsible consumption ,Life cycle assessment ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy ,ta216 ,Life-cycle assessment ,0505 law ,General Environmental Science ,Product category ,Ecological footprint ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,Impact assessment ,05 social sciences ,Open-loop controller ,Allocation method ,Number of uses ,Manufacturing engineering ,Fibre flow model ,visual_art ,Greenhouse gas ,Newsprint ,050501 criminology ,visual_art.visual_art_medium ,SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production - Abstract
Allocating environmental impacts within life cycle assessment (LCA) is a recognised methodological problem. Different allocation methods have been developed to fulfil the various goals of LCA studies. At present, there is neither a consensus regarding the method to be used nor a one-fits-all method for dealing with recycling in LCA. The paper discusses some of the main allocation procedures practised in the pulp and paper industry, namely those covered by ISO/TS 14067:2018, GHG Protocol/PAS 2050, and the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF). All in all, the allocation method described in the ISO/TS 14067:2018 standard was considered the most appropriate to account for open-loop recycling of paper products. However, the method neither considers the number of subsequent uses of recycled fibres, nor the recycled fibre age. Yet, both of them are considered especially important in the open-loop recycling of paper products. In order to account for these aspects, the present study proposes an advanced, step-wise approach to handle allocation in LCAs accounting for the open-loop recycling of paper products. The advanced approach is based on the fibre mass flow model used to calculate the mean fibre age and the mean number of uses of paper products within the European context. The approach was validated with the data from the pulp and paper industry, particularly examining the newsprint paper grade with different contents of recycled fibre and fibre age. The paper, however, introduces all the parameters required to perform allocation based on the proposed method for other paper grades. The categpory of global warming potential was considered in the study as an illustrative example. yet the method could be applied to other impact assessment categories. The results calculated using the proposed allocation approach were compared to those obtained with the allocation methods described in the GHG Protocol/PAS 2050 and the PEF. The proposed allocation method can be used to guide further development of available standards and the product category rules, which will contribute to increased harmonisation and consistency of LCA studies in the pulp and paper sector, as well as to the enhanced practical implementation of LCA in industry.
- Published
- 2019
41. Comparative life cycle assessments: The case of paper and digital media
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. LCA application to a paper recycling plant: the effects of energy supply source
- Author
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Ferrara, Carmen, Luigi, Rapido, and DE FEO, Giovanni
- Subjects
paper recycling ,paper production ,paper production, paper recycling, energy, Life Cycle Assessment, paper mill ,Life Cycle Assessment ,paper mill ,energy - Published
- 2018
43. A Two-stage Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Paper-based and Software-based Business Cards.
- Author
-
Karapetyan, Areg, Yaqub, Waheeb, Kirakosyan, Aram, and Sgouridis, Sgouris
- Subjects
BUSINESS card design ,COMPUTER software ,COMPARATIVE studies ,SMARTPHONES ,ENVIRONMENTAL impact analysis - Abstract
We conduct a comparative life cycle assessment of two business card options: a smartphone software and the common paper- based alternative. Life cycle impacts of production, distribution and use of business cards were compared and contrasted for both systems. Given the prevalence and multifunctionality of digital devices and services, we analyze the environmental impacts of the two systems and evaluate their total energy consumption, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and toxic releases by conducting a two-stage life cycle assessment with alternating functional units. The results indicate that, for a small-scale functional unit, the paper-based business card system causes slightly less environmental impact and has lower energy demand than the software-based (digital) business card system. Whereas when considering the more likely, large scale (real world scenario) functional unit, the digital business card system is more environmentally friendly and economical in terms of energy consumption. By comparing these two systems, this paper serves businesses and consumers when considering environmental consequences and energy depletion of their business networking options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF FREIGHT RAILROADS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND GUIDELINE PROPOSAL.
- Author
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Bicalho Carvalhaes, Bernardo, Luiz Calmon, João, Rodrigues Vieira, Darli, and Soares Bravo, Alencar
- Subjects
PRODUCT life cycle assessment ,CRITICAL analysis ,DISCLOSURE ,RESEARCH personnel ,RAILROAD freight service - Abstract
Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Production Engineering / Revista Brasileira de Engenharia de Produção is the property of Brazilian Journal of Production Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. Textile paper as a circular material
- Author
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Ashok, Archana
- Subjects
circular material ,Environmental Engineering ,Circular economy ,textile ,TEA ,paper ,LCA ,packaging ,techno-economic assessment ,recycling ,life cycle assessment ,eco-design ,fibre ,industrial symbiosis ,value chain ,Naturresursteknik - Abstract
Increasing resource efficiency by utilising secondary raw material is one of the key characteristics of a circular economy. Textile dust fibre, a waste generated from textile mechanical recycling has the prospect to be utilised as secondary raw material for producing novel material: textile paper suitable for packaging and other applications. A comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of carrier bags made from one ton of virgin paper, recycled paper and novel textile paper (~22584paper bags with grammage of 100 g/m2 and same dimensions for all 3 types of bags) showed that textile paper bag is more environmentally friendly in terms of carbon footprint. The largest environmental contributors were energy consumed in the pulping and paper making processes, followed by the use of adhesives and printing ink in the conversion process of paper to papercarrier bags. A comparative Techno-economic Assessment (TEA) was carried out for the operating cost of producing the three selected carrier bag types. The analysis conveyed that textile paper bags are more economically attractive, mainly due to the partial substitution of paper fibre with low-cost textile dust fibre. Furthermore, a simple tool was developed with an attempt to assess and compare materials suitability for the circular economy considering life cycle thinking and business perspectives. Assessment of textile paper using the Circular material assessment tool indicated that there is still scope for improvement on the following circularity characteristics of circular material: scarcity of raw material, local supply of resources, clean and non-toxic resources. Textile paper material scored high in the following circularity characteristics: secondary raw material, industrial symbiosis, recycling, resource efficiency in manufacturing and use. In the final step, the textile paper bag was eco-designed through the combined and iterative LCA and TEA approach with the aim to achieve improved scores as a circular material. In order to understand the overall sustainability advantages and trade-offs, further research is recommended on different textile dust fibre grades as well as textile paper performance based on mechanical properties. It is also recommended to investigate textile paper in other applications like one time fashion clothes, reusable paper bags as textile hangers etc.
- Published
- 2017
46. Printed and tablet e-paper newspaper from an environmental perspective - A screening life cycle assessment
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- 2010
- Full Text
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47. Waste paper recycling decision system based on material flow analysis and life cycle assessment: A case study of waste paper recycling from China.
- Author
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Liu, Manzhi, Tan, Shuai, Zhang, Mengya, He, Gang, Chen, Zhizhi, Fu, Zhiwei, and Luan, Changjin
- Subjects
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GREENHOUSE gases , *WASTE paper , *MATERIALS analysis , *GREENHOUSE gas laws , *PAPER recycling - Abstract
China's paper industry development is rapid, but the recycling rate of China's waste paper has been low all the time. Meanwhile, material flow analysis can help determine the flow of waste paper, and life cycle assessment (LCA) is the methodological framework for quantifying greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, present study integrates these two methods into the model construction of China's waste paper recycling decision system. Present study constructs a benchmark model of China's waste paper recycling decision system in 2017, focusing on the impact of nonstandard waste paper recycling on the economic and environmental benefits of China's domestic waste paper recycling system. This model construction is followed by sensitivity analysis of the relevant parameters affecting the efficiency of the waste paper recycling system. Finally, present study forecasts the system's economic benefits and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the context of integrating and regulating nonstandard recycling vendors. The results show that the economic benefit of China's waste paper recycling in 2017 is approximately 458.3 yuan/t and that the GHG emissions are 901.1 kgCO 2 eq. The standard recovery rate and nonstandard recovery acceptance rate will both have a significant impact on the system's economic benefits and improve the GHG emissions structure. In the context of integrating nonstandard recycling enterprises and individual recycling vendors, the economic benefits will rise to 3312.5 yuan/t in 2030, while GHG emissions will rise to 942.9 kgCO 2 eq. Present study can play a certain guiding role for policy makers in formulating waste paper recycling industry specifications and formulating relevant policies. • Present study constructs the life cycle framework of Chinese paper and paperboard by the combination of MFA and LCA. • Quantitative analysis of the economic benefits and GHG emissions generated by China's waste paper recycling system. • Sensitivity analysis on the main parameters of the economic and environmental benefits of the waste paper recycling system. • Benefits of China's waste paper recycling from 2018 to 2030 are evaluated by integrating nostandard and standard recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2020
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48. Paper waste - Recycling, incineration or landfilling? A review of existing life cycle assessments
- Author
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Wenzel, H [Department of Manufacturing Engineering and Management, Technical University of Denmark, Building 424, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby (Denmark)]
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- 2007
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49. 6th SETAC-Europe Meeting: LCA - Selected Papers uses: Uniform System for the Evaluation of Substances Inclusion of Fate in LCA Characterisation of Toxic Releases Applying USES 1.0
- Author
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Guinée, Jeroen B., Heijungs, Reinout, van Oers, Lauran F. C. M., Sleeswijk, Anneke Wegener, van de Meent, Dik, Vermeire, Theo, and Rikken, Mathieu
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- 1996
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50. Uncovering energy use, carbon emissions and environmental burdens of pulp and paper industry: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Author
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Sun, Mingxing, Wang, Yutao, Shi, Lei, and Klemeš, Jiří Jaromír
- Subjects
- *
GREENHOUSE gas mitigation , *CARBON dioxide mitigation , *GREENHOUSE gases , *MANUFACTURING industries , *ACIDIFICATION , *CARBON offsetting , *EMISSION control - Abstract
The pulp and paper industry, which provides cellulose pulp and paper, bio-based energy and chemicals, is one of the largest energy consumers, greenhouse gases (GHG) and pollutant emitters among manufacturing industries. Although the environmental impact of the pulp and paper industry has been extensively studied, life cycle assessment (LCA) results have not yet reached a consensus. By means of a systematic review and meta-analysis, this article contributes to the quantification and harmonization of the life cycle environmental impacts of pulp making and paper making systems. Based on the screening of 45 cases of paper making and 18 cases of pulp making, we found that 1 t of paper results in about 950 kg carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) equivalent (CO 2 -eq) GHG emissions on average. However, there are distinct differences between countries and pulp and paper categories. The dominant factor influencing GHG emissions is energy use. In paper making, the pulp making process is responsible for 62% of energy use, 45% of GHG emissions, 48% of acidification potential, and 49% of eutrophication potential. The kg CO 2 -eq emissions of three different types of pulp were as follows: Kraft, 508 kg CO 2 -eq/t; chemi-mechanical, 513 kg CO 2 -eq/t; and recycled pulp, 408 kg CO 2 -eq/t. Excluding emissions from electricity and steam production, the convergence of carbon emissions is observed within the same categories of pulp. Straw-based pulp caused far more environmental impact than any other type because of the intensive inputs in agricultural activities as well as in the pulp making process. This research highlighted the inconsistencies in functional units, system boundaries, and methodologies and carbon neutrality assumptions in different LCA studies of pulp and paper making. Future studies should focus on the environmental impact of straw-based pulp making, system boundary unification, and calculation of biogenic carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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