Potential Analysis of the Plastics Value Chain for Enhanced Recycling Rates: A Case Study in Iceland

Moritz Mager; Ines Traxler; Joerg Fischer; David C. Finger

doi:10.3390/recycling7050073

Potential Analysis of the Plastics Value Chain for Enhanced Recycling Rates: A Case Study in Iceland

Moritz Mager
, Ines Traxler
, Joerg Fischer
, David C. Finger

Department of Engineering

Reykjavik University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

In light of the circular economy gaining momentum, plastics recycling is regarded as a key solution to keep materials in the loop. Continuous efforts are needed to achieve the packaging waste recycling targets set by the European Union. Hence, this work evaluates the potential of the Icelandic plastics value chain for enhanced recycling rates. In addition to identifying the main challenges and opportunities, a feasibility study was conducted on the expansion of the deposit-return system to Skyr cups, allowing for closed-loop solutions. Based on the status quo, proposals for the improvement of the current waste and recycling system are made. Insights were acquired by semi-structured interviews with nine key stakeholders in Iceland, representing vital groups that influence the plastics value chain. The obtained answers followed the same trend, pointing out that a circular economy within the boundaries of Iceland is currently not feasible. This is mainly due to the strong dependence on international partners in all parts of the value chain except waste collection. However, major improvements are required to enhance the current waste collection rate of 28%. No conclusive evidence was found to justify the suitability of Skyr cups for the deposit-return system, as the disadvantages outweigh theoretically higher collection and recycling rates. Moreover, the extended producer responsibility scheme implemented with the Icelandic Recycling Fund is a valuable tool to enforce a design for recycling of products, enabling higher recycling rates. Despite one recycler operating in Iceland, Icelandic stakeholders consider sorting and treatment of mixed plastic waste as economically more efficient by collaborating with experts throughout Europe. Therefore, they expect that the current practice of exporting the majority of the domestic waste will prevail. On the contrary, the authors propose a comprehensive waste treatment and recycling scheme within Iceland, which requires a sorting step prior to three possible pathways, being (1) mechanical recycling, (2) alternative fuel, and (3) waste-to-energy. The aim of the proposed scheme is a reduction in greenhouse gas impact of plastics entering the waste stage by an efficient and flexible design of the relevant technologies within Iceland.

Original language	English
Article number	73
Journal	Recycling
Volume	7
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7050073
Publication status	Published - Oct 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information: Within a one-month period in September 2021, a short-term scientific mission (STSM) was conducted in Reykjavik, Iceland. The STSM was carried out on behalf of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), which is funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union []. In particular, the performed work is allocated to COST Action 17133, aiming for circularity solutions by interconnecting researchers to tackle arising challenges in urban societies. The COST Action itself was divided into five working groups (WG), being (1) built environment, (2) sustainable urban water utilization, (3) resource recovery, (4) urban farming, and (5) transformation tools []. The presented work mainly contributes to WG 3, as it aspires to increase the recovery rate of plastic feedstock. Yet, plastic recycling has an impact on all other working groups, as it is fundamental in preserving Iceland’s relatively untouched nature which is exposed to contamination due to littering and wrongful disposal. Microplastic resulting from polymer degradation pollutes groundwater and re-enters the food chain in agriculture and marine life (WG 2 and WG 4) [,]. Recyclates are commonly used in building and construction and can, therefore, be regarded as a resource for WG 1. Finally, recycling is only feasible if substantial public awareness is raised, which is why transformation tools from WG 5 are key to knowledge dissemination in order to increase public engagement []. Funding Information: This publication is based upon work from COST Action CA17133 Circular City, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). www.cost.eu, accessed on 22 September 2022. The authors also acknowledge financial support through the COMET Centre CHASE, funded within the COMET—Competence Centers for Excellent Technologies program by the BMK, the BMDW and the Federal Provinces of Upper Austria and Vienna. The COMET program is managed by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.

Other keywords

CO emission reduction
Iceland
deposit system
plastics recycling
plastics value chain

Access to Document

10.3390/recycling7050073

Cite this

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title = "Potential Analysis of the Plastics Value Chain for Enhanced Recycling Rates: A Case Study in Iceland",

abstract = "In light of the circular economy gaining momentum, plastics recycling is regarded as a key solution to keep materials in the loop. Continuous efforts are needed to achieve the packaging waste recycling targets set by the European Union. Hence, this work evaluates the potential of the Icelandic plastics value chain for enhanced recycling rates. In addition to identifying the main challenges and opportunities, a feasibility study was conducted on the expansion of the deposit-return system to Skyr cups, allowing for closed-loop solutions. Based on the status quo, proposals for the improvement of the current waste and recycling system are made. Insights were acquired by semi-structured interviews with nine key stakeholders in Iceland, representing vital groups that influence the plastics value chain. The obtained answers followed the same trend, pointing out that a circular economy within the boundaries of Iceland is currently not feasible. This is mainly due to the strong dependence on international partners in all parts of the value chain except waste collection. However, major improvements are required to enhance the current waste collection rate of 28\%. No conclusive evidence was found to justify the suitability of Skyr cups for the deposit-return system, as the disadvantages outweigh theoretically higher collection and recycling rates. Moreover, the extended producer responsibility scheme implemented with the Icelandic Recycling Fund is a valuable tool to enforce a design for recycling of products, enabling higher recycling rates. Despite one recycler operating in Iceland, Icelandic stakeholders consider sorting and treatment of mixed plastic waste as economically more efficient by collaborating with experts throughout Europe. Therefore, they expect that the current practice of exporting the majority of the domestic waste will prevail. On the contrary, the authors propose a comprehensive waste treatment and recycling scheme within Iceland, which requires a sorting step prior to three possible pathways, being (1) mechanical recycling, (2) alternative fuel, and (3) waste-to-energy. The aim of the proposed scheme is a reduction in greenhouse gas impact of plastics entering the waste stage by an efficient and flexible design of the relevant technologies within Iceland.",

keywords = "CO emission reduction, Iceland, deposit system, plastics recycling, plastics value chain",

author = "Moritz Mager and Ines Traxler and Joerg Fischer and Finger, \{David C.\}",

note = "Funding Information: Within a one-month period in September 2021, a short-term scientific mission (STSM) was conducted in Reykjavik, Iceland. The STSM was carried out on behalf of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), which is funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union []. In particular, the performed work is allocated to COST Action 17133, aiming for circularity solutions by interconnecting researchers to tackle arising challenges in urban societies. The COST Action itself was divided into five working groups (WG), being (1) built environment, (2) sustainable urban water utilization, (3) resource recovery, (4) urban farming, and (5) transformation tools []. The presented work mainly contributes to WG 3, as it aspires to increase the recovery rate of plastic feedstock. Yet, plastic recycling has an impact on all other working groups, as it is fundamental in preserving Iceland{\textquoteright}s relatively untouched nature which is exposed to contamination due to littering and wrongful disposal. Microplastic resulting from polymer degradation pollutes groundwater and re-enters the food chain in agriculture and marine life (WG 2 and WG 4) [,]. Recyclates are commonly used in building and construction and can, therefore, be regarded as a resource for WG 1. Finally, recycling is only feasible if substantial public awareness is raised, which is why transformation tools from WG 5 are key to knowledge dissemination in order to increase public engagement []. Funding Information: This publication is based upon work from COST Action CA17133 Circular City, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). www.cost.eu, accessed on 22 September 2022. The authors also acknowledge financial support through the COMET Centre CHASE, funded within the COMET{\textemdash}Competence Centers for Excellent Technologies program by the BMK, the BMDW and the Federal Provinces of Upper Austria and Vienna. The COMET program is managed by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 by the authors.",

year = "2022",

month = oct,

doi = "10.3390/recycling7050073",

language = "English",

volume = "7",

journal = "Recycling",

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AU - Traxler, Ines

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AU - Finger, David C.

N1 - Funding Information: Within a one-month period in September 2021, a short-term scientific mission (STSM) was conducted in Reykjavik, Iceland. The STSM was carried out on behalf of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), which is funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union []. In particular, the performed work is allocated to COST Action 17133, aiming for circularity solutions by interconnecting researchers to tackle arising challenges in urban societies. The COST Action itself was divided into five working groups (WG), being (1) built environment, (2) sustainable urban water utilization, (3) resource recovery, (4) urban farming, and (5) transformation tools []. The presented work mainly contributes to WG 3, as it aspires to increase the recovery rate of plastic feedstock. Yet, plastic recycling has an impact on all other working groups, as it is fundamental in preserving Iceland’s relatively untouched nature which is exposed to contamination due to littering and wrongful disposal. Microplastic resulting from polymer degradation pollutes groundwater and re-enters the food chain in agriculture and marine life (WG 2 and WG 4) [,]. Recyclates are commonly used in building and construction and can, therefore, be regarded as a resource for WG 1. Finally, recycling is only feasible if substantial public awareness is raised, which is why transformation tools from WG 5 are key to knowledge dissemination in order to increase public engagement []. Funding Information: This publication is based upon work from COST Action CA17133 Circular City, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). www.cost.eu, accessed on 22 September 2022. The authors also acknowledge financial support through the COMET Centre CHASE, funded within the COMET—Competence Centers for Excellent Technologies program by the BMK, the BMDW and the Federal Provinces of Upper Austria and Vienna. The COMET program is managed by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.

PY - 2022/10

Y1 - 2022/10

N2 - In light of the circular economy gaining momentum, plastics recycling is regarded as a key solution to keep materials in the loop. Continuous efforts are needed to achieve the packaging waste recycling targets set by the European Union. Hence, this work evaluates the potential of the Icelandic plastics value chain for enhanced recycling rates. In addition to identifying the main challenges and opportunities, a feasibility study was conducted on the expansion of the deposit-return system to Skyr cups, allowing for closed-loop solutions. Based on the status quo, proposals for the improvement of the current waste and recycling system are made. Insights were acquired by semi-structured interviews with nine key stakeholders in Iceland, representing vital groups that influence the plastics value chain. The obtained answers followed the same trend, pointing out that a circular economy within the boundaries of Iceland is currently not feasible. This is mainly due to the strong dependence on international partners in all parts of the value chain except waste collection. However, major improvements are required to enhance the current waste collection rate of 28%. No conclusive evidence was found to justify the suitability of Skyr cups for the deposit-return system, as the disadvantages outweigh theoretically higher collection and recycling rates. Moreover, the extended producer responsibility scheme implemented with the Icelandic Recycling Fund is a valuable tool to enforce a design for recycling of products, enabling higher recycling rates. Despite one recycler operating in Iceland, Icelandic stakeholders consider sorting and treatment of mixed plastic waste as economically more efficient by collaborating with experts throughout Europe. Therefore, they expect that the current practice of exporting the majority of the domestic waste will prevail. On the contrary, the authors propose a comprehensive waste treatment and recycling scheme within Iceland, which requires a sorting step prior to three possible pathways, being (1) mechanical recycling, (2) alternative fuel, and (3) waste-to-energy. The aim of the proposed scheme is a reduction in greenhouse gas impact of plastics entering the waste stage by an efficient and flexible design of the relevant technologies within Iceland.

AB - In light of the circular economy gaining momentum, plastics recycling is regarded as a key solution to keep materials in the loop. Continuous efforts are needed to achieve the packaging waste recycling targets set by the European Union. Hence, this work evaluates the potential of the Icelandic plastics value chain for enhanced recycling rates. In addition to identifying the main challenges and opportunities, a feasibility study was conducted on the expansion of the deposit-return system to Skyr cups, allowing for closed-loop solutions. Based on the status quo, proposals for the improvement of the current waste and recycling system are made. Insights were acquired by semi-structured interviews with nine key stakeholders in Iceland, representing vital groups that influence the plastics value chain. The obtained answers followed the same trend, pointing out that a circular economy within the boundaries of Iceland is currently not feasible. This is mainly due to the strong dependence on international partners in all parts of the value chain except waste collection. However, major improvements are required to enhance the current waste collection rate of 28%. No conclusive evidence was found to justify the suitability of Skyr cups for the deposit-return system, as the disadvantages outweigh theoretically higher collection and recycling rates. Moreover, the extended producer responsibility scheme implemented with the Icelandic Recycling Fund is a valuable tool to enforce a design for recycling of products, enabling higher recycling rates. Despite one recycler operating in Iceland, Icelandic stakeholders consider sorting and treatment of mixed plastic waste as economically more efficient by collaborating with experts throughout Europe. Therefore, they expect that the current practice of exporting the majority of the domestic waste will prevail. On the contrary, the authors propose a comprehensive waste treatment and recycling scheme within Iceland, which requires a sorting step prior to three possible pathways, being (1) mechanical recycling, (2) alternative fuel, and (3) waste-to-energy. The aim of the proposed scheme is a reduction in greenhouse gas impact of plastics entering the waste stage by an efficient and flexible design of the relevant technologies within Iceland.

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KW - Iceland

KW - deposit system

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KW - plastics value chain

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DO - 10.3390/recycling7050073

M3 - Article

SN - 2313-4321

VL - 7

JO - Recycling

JF - Recycling

IS - 5

M1 - 73

ER -

Potential Analysis of the Plastics Value Chain for Enhanced Recycling Rates: A Case Study in Iceland

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Other keywords

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