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Highlights: [•] Paper reviews data on material recycling used in LCAs of waste management systems. [•] In total 366 datasets, from 1980 to 2010, covering 14 materials, were evaluated. [•] Totals for emissions of CO2-equivalent were compared to illustrate variations. [•] The choice of dataset is crucial for the outcome of an LCA on waste management. [•] Recycling in general showed lower emission of CO2/kg material than primary production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The pulp and paper industry is placed in a unique position as biomass used as feedstock is now in increasingly high demand from the energy sector. Increased demand for biomass increases pressure on the availability of this resource, which might strengthen the need for recycling of paper. In this study, we calculate the energy use and carbon dioxide emissions for paper production from three pulp types. Increased recycling enables an increase in biomass availability and reduces life-cycle energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. Recovered paper as feedstock leads to lowest energy use (22GJ/t) and CO2 emissions (−1100kgCO2/t) when biomass not used for paper production is assumed to be converted into bio-energy. Large differences exist between paper grades in e.g. electricity and heat use during production, fibre furnish, filler content and recyclability. We found large variation in energy use over the life-cycle of different grades. However, in all paper grades, life-cycle energy use decreases with increased recycling rates and increased use of recovered fibres. The average life-cycle energy use of the paper mix produced in The Netherlands, where the recycling rate is approximately 75%, is about 14GJ/t. This equals CO2 savings of about 1tCO2/t paper if no recycled fibres would be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]