How multifunctionality modelling in LCA affects decision-making : the case of chemical recycling of plastic waste
- Author
- Estefania Sanabria Garcia (UGent) , Sophie Huysveld (UGent) , Pieter Nachtergaele (UGent) , Thuy Trang Nhu (UGent) and Jo Dewulf (UGent)
- Organization
- Project
- Abstract
- Chemical recycling (CR) holds promise for closing the plastic loop, but demonstrating its environmental benefits is crucial for policy and economic support. Life cycle assessment (LCA) assesses environmental sustainability, yet variations in modelling, such as multifunctionality, complicate decision-making. This study contributes to LCA multifunctionality modelling theory by examining its effects on LCA outcomes. Using two CR plastic waste case studies, seven modelling approaches were analysed, varying the functional unit (product/waste perspective), coproduct multifunctionality (substitution (Sub)/basket of products (BoP)), and end-of-life (EoL) multifunctionality (cut-off/circular footprint formula (CFF)). Results showed consistent impact deltas for BoP and Sub with welldefined boundaries and cut-off EoL when comparing CR’s impact with conventional waste management and production systems. However, differences in absolute results and comparative metrics for Sub and BoP highlight the risk of misinterpretations. By demonstrating the influence of modelling choices, this study provides actionable insights for policymakers, industry, and researchers, enhancing informed LCA-based decision-making.
- Keywords
- Multifunctionality modelling, LCA, Plastic chemical recycling, System expansion, Substitution, Basket of products, Decision-making, LIFE, MANAGEMENT, FUELS
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Citation
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication: http://hdl.handle.net/1854/LU-01JRCQVDE073S5PQ4GSWXCVRCY
- MLA
- Sanabria Garcia, Estefania, et al. “How Multifunctionality Modelling in LCA Affects Decision-Making : The Case of Chemical Recycling of Plastic Waste.” RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING, vol. 218, 2025, doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108262.
- APA
- Sanabria Garcia, E., Huysveld, S., Nachtergaele, P., Nhu, T. T., & Dewulf, J. (2025). How multifunctionality modelling in LCA affects decision-making : the case of chemical recycling of plastic waste. RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING, 218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108262
- Chicago author-date
- Sanabria Garcia, Estefania, Sophie Huysveld, Pieter Nachtergaele, Thuy Trang Nhu, and Jo Dewulf. 2025. “How Multifunctionality Modelling in LCA Affects Decision-Making : The Case of Chemical Recycling of Plastic Waste.” RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING 218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108262.
- Chicago author-date (all authors)
- Sanabria Garcia, Estefania, Sophie Huysveld, Pieter Nachtergaele, Thuy Trang Nhu, and Jo Dewulf. 2025. “How Multifunctionality Modelling in LCA Affects Decision-Making : The Case of Chemical Recycling of Plastic Waste.” RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING 218. doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108262.
- Vancouver
- 1.Sanabria Garcia E, Huysveld S, Nachtergaele P, Nhu TT, Dewulf J. How multifunctionality modelling in LCA affects decision-making : the case of chemical recycling of plastic waste. RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING. 2025;218.
- IEEE
- [1]E. Sanabria Garcia, S. Huysveld, P. Nachtergaele, T. T. Nhu, and J. Dewulf, “How multifunctionality modelling in LCA affects decision-making : the case of chemical recycling of plastic waste,” RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING, vol. 218, 2025.
@article{01JRCQVDE073S5PQ4GSWXCVRCY,
abstract = {{Chemical recycling (CR) holds promise for closing the plastic loop, but demonstrating its environmental benefits
is crucial for policy and economic support. Life cycle assessment (LCA) assesses environmental sustainability, yet
variations in modelling, such as multifunctionality, complicate decision-making. This study contributes to LCA
multifunctionality modelling theory by examining its effects on LCA outcomes. Using two CR plastic waste case
studies, seven modelling approaches were analysed, varying the functional unit (product/waste perspective), coproduct multifunctionality (substitution (Sub)/basket of products (BoP)), and end-of-life (EoL) multifunctionality
(cut-off/circular footprint formula (CFF)). Results showed consistent impact deltas for BoP and Sub with welldefined boundaries and cut-off EoL when comparing CR’s impact with conventional waste management and
production systems. However, differences in absolute results and comparative metrics for Sub and BoP highlight
the risk of misinterpretations. By demonstrating the influence of modelling choices, this study provides
actionable insights for policymakers, industry, and researchers, enhancing informed LCA-based decision-making.}},
articleno = {{108262}},
author = {{Sanabria Garcia, Estefania and Huysveld, Sophie and Nachtergaele, Pieter and Nhu, Thuy Trang and Dewulf, Jo}},
issn = {{0921-3449}},
journal = {{RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING}},
keywords = {{Multifunctionality modelling,LCA,Plastic chemical recycling,System expansion,Substitution,Basket of products,Decision-making,LIFE,MANAGEMENT,FUELS}},
language = {{eng}},
pages = {{14}},
title = {{How multifunctionality modelling in LCA affects decision-making : the case of chemical recycling of plastic waste}},
url = {{http://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108262}},
volume = {{218}},
year = {{2025}},
}
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