Assessment of the Environmental Advantages and Drawbacks of Existing and Emerging Polymers Recovery Processes

The report analyses the technical and environmental potential of various plastic recovery schemes, as well as assessing the possibilities for environmentally favourable existing and emerging processes to enter the market. Quality and quantity of plastic waste streams are estimated for 2015. For this purpose the six waste categories packaging, vehicles, electronic equipment, agriculture, municipal waste, and construction are analysed in detail. Existing plastic recovery technologies are analysed with regards to their environmental performance. As a result, the recovery technology mix for different scenarios is calculated which best achieves the objective of environmental sustainability. The mission of the JRC is to provide customer-driven scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies. As a service of the European Commission, the JRC functions as a reference centre of science and technology for the Union. Close to the policy-making process, it serves the common interest of the Member States, while being independent of special interests, whether private or national. LF-N A -2939-E N -C

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