Page 65 - Plastics News February 2026
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IN THE NEWS
of the calculation of carbon footprint of plastic in the life cycle of the plastic product. Third, it
products. Renewable and non-renewable en- advances the transparency of the supply chain
ergy sources show the intensity of resources in and improves relations with the clients that have
terms of energy demand. The water consump- sustainability as their priority.
tion presents the possibility of water strains in
water-deficient areas. Measures of acidification In addition, carbon neutrality has corporate
and eutrophication determine effects on ecol- ESG reporting, which supports organizations in
ogy. achieving science-based targets and goals to
achieve carbon neutrality.
These metrics enable the decision-makers to
objectively compare materials instead of using Reducing the Environmental Impact of Plastic
perception or narratives of the people. Products
Definition: Core LCA Terms When understanding the environmental hot-
spots, the organizations can deploy the strate-
Cradle-to-Grave is the evaluation of the effects gies of improving the value chain.
between extraction of the raw materials and dis-
posal. By adopting renewable energy in the production
and conversion of polymers, the emission is less.
Cradle-to-Gate checks up to the production The use of more recycled material reduces the
phase of the product prior to factory exit. need to use virgin feedstocks. The design-for-
recycling principles enhance the recovery rates
Functional Unit identifies the quantifiable basis of end-of-life. Optimization of processes mini-
of performance to compare, e.g. 1,000 units of mizes the scrap and energy wastage.
packaging, which secures 1 ton of products.
Lightweighting strategies in packaging reduce
System Boundary is what defines the processes the consumption of raw materials and do not af-
that have to be included or not in the study. fect performance. Industrial recycling systems
are closed loop systems that help in curbing
These terms are very critical in the interpretation
of LCA reports. landfill dependency.
Strategic Value of LCA for B2B Organizations Through the learning of the life cycle analysis of
plastic products in the production to recycling
Plastic life cycle analysis provides quantifiable process, firms can shift their level of reactivity to
non-environmental business values. sustainability leadership.
To start with, it facilitates regulatory adherence. Frequently Asked Questions: Industry Perspec-
There are now many areas in need of carbon tive
disclosure, packaging impact reporting or sus-
tainability labeling. Second, LCA spurs eco-de- Is plastic always worse than alternative materi-
sign by determining the most significant stages als?
February 2026 PLASTICS NEWS 65
