Life cycle management of single-use plastics waste toward circular economy

Name: Chalida Ratcharoen

keyword: Life cycle assessmen

; Plastic waste

; Waste management

Abstract: The global increase in plastic waste has led to a growing problem of residual waste, as only a small portion of plastics are effectively recycled. In line with the government's policy outlined in Thailand’s Roadmap on Plastic Waste Management, this study aims to identify suitable waste management systems by comparing the environmental impacts of three common single-use plastics: polypropylene (PP), low density polyethylene (LDPE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The assessment focuses on three waste management methods: landfilling, incineration, and recycling using the cradle-to-gate approach, which covers the process from waste collection to final disposal. Input and output data were collected and analyzed to quantify environmental impacts. Both primary data (from stakeholder interviews) and secondary data (from literature reviews) were used. The selected functional unit is 1 ton of plastic waste. The study applies the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and focuses on midpoint impact categories using the ReCiPe method. A total of eight impact categories were considered: climate change, ozone depletion, human toxicity, freshwater eutrophication, terrestrial acidification, particulate matter formation, fossil depletion, and water depletion. Results show that landfill and incineration contribute significantly to climate change, mainly due to transportation and emissions from combustion. While incineration offers some energy recovery benefits, it does not fully offset its environmental burdens. Recycling was the most effective option, reducing climate change impact by –145 to –185 kg CO₂-eq per ton of plastic waste and improving other impact categories. However, challenges remain in addressing human toxicity due to fossil-based electricity. Overall, recycling is the most sustainable solution and plays a key role in advancing a circular economy. Its effectiveness can be further enhanced by integrating renewable energy in recycling processes that align with resource efficiency and waste minimization policy goals.

Thammasat University. Thammasat University Library

Address: BANGKOK

Email: preserv@tu.ac.th

Name: Thanwadee Chinda

Role: advisor

Name: Seksan Papong

Role: co-advisor

Created: 2025

Modified: 2025-11-24

Issued: 2025-11-24

วิทยานิพนธ์/Thesis

application/pdf

DOI: 10.14457/TU.the.2024.514

eng

DegreeName: Master of Engineering

Level: Master's Degree

Descipline: Engineering Technology

Grantor: Thammasat University

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