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Life Cycle Approach to Plastic Pollution

Life Cycle Initiative

Life Cycle Initiative

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Theme
Tag
  • pollution
Target Group
  • Researchers,
  • Students,
  • Policy makers
Language
  • English
Region

Addressing plastic pollution and marine litter requires a new way of thinking that looks at the entire life cycle of plastics.

A life cycle approach to plastic ensures the identification of key hotspots in the production and consumption system by considering all potential impacts (on climate, ecosystems, toxicity, jobs, economy, etc) caused by plastic products / goods / services (and their alternatives), in each stage of their life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials, processing of secondary materials, to product manufacture, distribution, maintenance and use, and end of life management. In this way, a life cycle approach also helps addressing potential trade-offs between environmental impacts and sustainability pillars, and can orient the selection of the best solutions for the environment with best socio-economic implications.