Society’s Perception-Based Characterization Factors for Mismanaged Polymers at End of Life

Society’s perception of an environmental impact often turns it into the drive to measure, remediate and ultimately solve the perceived problem. In some cases, this situation is noticeable even before scientists can properly establish the cause-effect pathway, for example, plastic debris effect on the oceans. This work strives to understand how public opinion deals with this transitory gap of knowledge and how to measure society’s viewpoint through marine litter. A Life Cycle Assessment was addressed comparing reusable and single-use drinking straws, from which a “society’s perception based” characterization factor for mismanaged polymers at end of life was proposed. Results showed that the factor may reach up to 1 order of magnitude higher than the characterization factors of producing the polymer and may indicate that decisions with no data to support can lead to rebound effects.