Life Cycle Assessment of Sugarcane Bagasse Takeout Containers: A Case Study in Laibin, Guangxi, China

Abstract

With growing global concerns over climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation, the packaging industry is under increasing pressure to shift toward lowcarbon and sustainable alternatives. This study applies a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework to evaluate the environmental impacts of sugarcane bagasse-based takeout containers using a representative enterprise in Laibin, Guangxi, China—a major sugarcane production hub. The system boundary spans from raw material acquisition to end-of-life disposal. Six environmental impact categories—Global Warming Potential (GWP), Acidification Potential (AP), Eutrophication Potential (EP), Abiotic Depletion Potential (ADP), Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), and Photochemical Ozone Formation Potential (POFP)—were assessed using the CML 2001 method and compared with plastic, starch, and composite starch containers. The results show that bagasse containers significantly outperform conventional materials, especially in GWP and ADP, reducing total environmental burden by over 70%. Sensitivity analysis identifies bamboo pulp input, additives, and boiler fuel as key contributors. Optimization strategies include adopting cleaner pulping technologies, using green additives, and improving low-carbon logistics. The integrated “sugar mill-pulp mill-container factory” model in Laibin demonstrates high replicability in other agricultural regions of southern China and Southeast Asia. This study provides theoretical insights for promoting biomass packaging as part of the circular economy and sustainable material innovation.