Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 8.4
Plastic pyramid originally proposed in 1998 by Van der Naald
and Thorpe.
A recent report (Tabone et al., 2010) presents rankings based on two sets of
criteria, the principles of green chemistry or engineering and the standard
LCA methodology for assessing environmental impacts, for common
plastics. The two rankings derived were different, and those from green
design principles are given in the following:
PLA/PHA < HDPE < PET < LDPE < Bio-PET < PP < PS < PVC < PC
However, the LCA rankings of these were based on had a limited scope, and
were assessed on a volume basis (as opposed to a functional unit such as
a number of containers of specified capacity). The footprint of a product
must be taken together with its functionality or the contribution the product
makes to human lifestyle. This requires the footprint be assessed on a
functional unit basis. The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP)
(2005) study on food-use plastics also ranked PVC as a hazardous plastic
and recommends avoiding its use (plasticized with DEHA or other
