Abstract
The introduction of bioplastics is being promoted in Japan, with a roadmap for bioplastic set for 2021. There are many challenges in implementing bioplastics in society, and it is important to evaluate their life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and the social role of their biodegradable function. This study conducted a life cycle analysis of the GHG reduction effect of introducing PHBH food waste collection bags and PHBH food containers made from waste cooking oil into a resource circulation system for the sorted collection and biogasification of household food waste, using Kyoto City as a case study. The results confirmed the superiority of the scenario introducing PHBH products compared to the scenario assuming a general municipality. On the other hand, since food containers made of PHBH have a higher calorific value than food waste, incineration with energy recovery has a certain GHG reduction effect, and further application and evaluation of such applications, such as products prone to unintentional environmental spills, are required for the utilization of biodegradability.
