Page 46 - Plastics News June 2024

FEATURE NEWS

TURNING WORKPLACES TURNING WORKPLACES

Life Cycle Assessment: From Packaging into Paving Blocks

Research explores the environmental impacts of transforming multilayer fill methods. INTO SAFER PLACES INTO SAFER PLACES
metalized plastic packaging (MLP), commonly used in consumer goods, Reduced Eutrophication and Ecotoxic-
into paving blocks (PVBs). ity
One of the most significant findings of
the study is the reduced eutrophication
and freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity as-
sociated with PVB production. These
reductions are crucial, as they indicate
a lesser impact on water bodies, po-
tentially leading to healthier aquatic
ecosystems. This aspect of the study
highlights the dual benefits of MLP
MAGNETIC SENSORS
SAFETY RELAYS
MAGNETIC SENSORS conversion: reducing plastic waste and SAFETY RELAYS SAFETY SWITCHES SAFETY SWITCHES LIMIT SWITCHES LIMIT SWITCHES
mitigating its environmental conse-
Q BNS and BPS series Q BNS and BPS series Q SRB series: SRB 301, SRB 204, Q SRB series: SRB 301, SRB 204, Q AZ 15, 16 & 17, AZM170 series Q AZ 15, 16 & 17, AZM170 series Q 236 & 336 series; 235 & 335 series Q 236 & 336 series; 235 & 335 series
Q seperate actuators available Q seperate actuators available SRB-E-322ST, SRB-E-301ST etc. SRB-E-322ST, SRB-E-301ST etc. Q separate actuators available Q separate actuators available Q thermoplastic or metal enclosure Q thermoplastic or metal enclosure

quences.
Life cycle assessment results. Cour-
tesy of Environmental impact study
ndonesia produces more tial energy input—largely due to the on conversion of multilayer metallized
than 31 million tonnes of manufacturing processes—it offers a packaging to paving blocks with a Life
waste each year, and a sub- lower environmental impact in certain Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach.
stantial amount of plastic key areas compared to traditional land- Challenges and Comparative Analy-
remains in landfills for centuries. Re- sis
searchers at the National Research and SAFETY MATS SAFETY MATS FOOT SWITCHES FOOT SWITCHE SAFETY LIGHT CURTAINSS SAFETY LIGHT CURTAINS PULL CORD SWITCHES PULL CORD SWITCHES
Innovation Agency in Indonesia have However, the conversion process is
Q separate safety rails available
proposed an innovative solution: using Q separate safety rails available not without its challenges. The study Q standard version - LKF1 Q SLC400COM-ER series Q SLC400COM-ER series Q with and without emergency stop Q with and without emergency stop
Q standard version - LKF1
multilayer metalized plastic (MLP), a Q separate EV stoppers available reveals higher acidification potential Q heavy duty with guard - F232 Q 330mm to 1050mm Q 330mm to 1050mm Q thermoplastic or metal enclosure Q thermoplastic or metal enclosure
Q heavy duty with guard - F232
Q separate EV stoppers available
common but difficult-to-recycle mate- due to the increased energy require-
rial due to its complex layers, to manu- ments of PVB production. Yet, when
facture durable paving blocks. considering the overall environmen-
tal benefits, including the substantial
Methodology and LCA Findings reduction in landfill waste and lower
The research utilized the openLCA long-term ecological damage, the ad-
software and ecoinvent 3.8 database vantages begin to outweigh the draw-
to perform a gate-to-gate assessment, PVB production from MLP/plastic bag backs.
comparing the environmental impact waste. Courtesy of Environmental The study concludes that converting Schmersal India Pvt Ltd Schmersal India Pvt Ltd
of producing paving blocks PVBs from impact study on conversion of multi- MLP to PVB is a viable and environ- Mail: info-in@schmersal.com www.schmersal.in Mail: info-in@schmersal.com www.schmersal.in
multilayer metalized plastic (MLP) with layer metallized packaging to paving mentally beneficial method of manag-
conventional disposal methods. The blocks with a Life Cycle Assessment ing plastic waste. This approach not
study found that while converting MLP (LCA) approach. only helps in reducing the volume of
into paving blocks requires substan-

46 48 PL PLASTICS NEWS 47
PLASTICS NEWSASTICS NEWS
June 2024
15.05.2024 10:46:48 15.05.2024 10:46:48 June 2024 June 2024 anz_product-overview_395x240_in.indd 1 anz_product-overview_395x240_in.indd 1