Abstract
For a comprehensive evaluation on the PET bottle recycling, cost and major environmental load including energy consumption and emissions of CO2, SOx and NOx related material recycling system and other three alternatives (incineration, thermal recovery and direct landfill) were estimated. Based on general lifecycle inventory over the PET bottle disposal or recycling stages, material recycling system was found to have a conclusive advantage on environmental load reduction. Ratios of environmental load related to material recycling system to those related to other alternatives were 4 to 10%. On the other hand, disadvantage of material recycling system on the cost was also indicated. Ratios of the cost covering material recycling system to those covering other alternatives were between four and ten. As to promote the material recycling system for PET bottle waste management with environmental load reductions, several types of economic policies sustaining disposal or recycling cost balance should be needed.
