Integrating circularity indicators with life cycle assessment for plastic packaging: A refill-and-reuse system case study

Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 571, pp. 148822

Abstract

This study addresses the lack of methodological consensus for nano-level Circular Economy (CE) assessments of plastic packaging. Existing approaches are reviewed to identify relevant methods. The outcome is the application of an ISO 59020 oriented, integrated Circular Life Cycle Assessment (Circular-LCA) that combines LCA with Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) and Product Circularity Indicator (PCI). Applied to a use case comparing a conventional single-use detergent bottle with a concentrate pouch in a refill-and-reuse system, indicator informativeness, system boundaries, and sensitive parameters are critically examined. Three complementary scopes are applied: packaging-only, a packaging + product transport scope to consider the packaging's volumes transported, and a full-product scope including detergent production and use. Results show mostly gains from transitioning to refill-and-reuse: even one refill mostly reduces packaging-related impacts by on average 35% and substantially increases circularity. The original MCI peaks at one reuse, while its adapted version integrating reduced mass peaks at five reuses and then declines due to the pouch's dominant virgin feedstock. Introducing recyclate content for refill packaging would mitigate this trade-off. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle emerge as primary levers with net benefits and limited trade-offs, while Recover offers supplementary advantages. In the full-product scope, packaging improvements are overshadowed by impacts from detergent production and use, underscoring the need for holistic evaluation. The study demonstrates the value of combining life-cycle methods with circularity indicators, identifies sensitive parameters, and thereby offers guidance for practitioners navigating the implementation of Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation, ISO 59000, and Digital Product Passports.

Authors 3

1. Annalisa Karin Nolte corresponding Aachen ANTS - Department of Anthropogenic Material Cycles

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   ANTS - Department of Anthropogenic Material Cycles, RWTH Aachen University, Wüllnerstraße 2, Aachen, 52062, Germany

2. Milad Goudarzi Aachen ANTS - Department of Anthropogenic Material Cycles

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   ANTS - Department of Anthropogenic Material Cycles, RWTH Aachen University, Wüllnerstraße 2, Aachen, 52062, Germany

3. Kathrin Greiff Aachen ANTS - Department of Anthropogenic Material Cycles

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   ANTS - Department of Anthropogenic Material Cycles, RWTH Aachen University, Wüllnerstraße 2, Aachen, 52062, Germany