LCA and LCC Analysis of the Recovering and Reusing Scenario of Metal-Plastic Process Scraps

Abstract The paper investigates the environmental and economic benefits of the possible scenario of recovering and reusing a process scrap in closed loop, by means of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) method. As case study a manufacturing process of a large company based in Portugal was utilized. The company demand is to possibly innovate the manufacturing process of one of their products that currently generates non-recyclable scraps when it fails quality control. Before taking decisions, the company wants to assess the environmental and economic benefits of possibly recycling those scraps, as they currently generate waste destined for landfills. The product consisting of a plastic household containing metal inserts was analyzed “from cradle to grave,” from raw material extraction to end of life. According to the ISO standards ISO 14040:2006 and ISO 14044:2018, four phases: Goal and Scope, Life Cycle Inventory (LCI), Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA), and final Interpretation, are reported. SimaPro 9.3 software and Ecoinvent v3 database were used for the assessment. A future scenario where the metal inserts could be easily removed from the plastic household, allowing the complete recycle and reuse of both types of components, was assumed and assessed for a LCA and LCC comparison with the current state. The results highlighted minor benefit from recovering the process scrap but significative benefit when this scenario is extended to the post-consumer end of life. This study will enrich the scientific literature with primary data collected at a company site and will enhance the knowledge needed to develop links between the top-down process that led to the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the bottom-up knowledge, data, and methodology in the life-cycle sustainability assessment to help businesses and governments integrating the SDGs into their decision-making processes.