Author:
Chaudhari Utkarsh S.,Sedaghatnia Kamand,Reck Barbara K.,Maguire Kate,Johnson Anne T.,Watkins David W.,Handler Robert M.,Hossain Tasmin,Hartley Damon S.,Thompson Vicki S.,Peralta Alejandra,Apriesnig Jenny L.,Shonnard David R.
Abstract
Many actions are underway at global, national, and local levels to increase plastics circularity. However, studies evaluating the environmental and socio-economic impacts of such a transition are lacking at regional levels in the United States. In this work, the existing polyethylene terephthalate and polyolefin plastics supply chains in Michigan were compared to a potential future (‘NextCycle’) scenario that looks at increasing Michigan’s overall recycling rate to 45%. Material flow analysis data was combined with environmental and socio-economic metrics to evaluate the sustainability of these supply chains for the modeled scenarios. Overall, the NextCycle scenario for these supply chains achieved a net 14% and 34% savings of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy impacts, when compared with their respective baseline values. Additionally, the NextCycle scenario showed a net gain in employment and wages, however, it showed a net loss of revenue generation outside of Michigan due to the avoided use of virgin resins in Michigan.