Application of life cycle assessment and exergy to environmental evaluation of selected polymers

Abstract

This paper presents LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) and exergy analysis for the environmental evaluation of selected polymers: PE, PP, PVC, PS and PET. In the analysis, damages to human health and ecosystem quality as well as resource consumption were considered, also global warming potential and cumulative energy use were determined. As a result of exergy analysis the sustainable development index and thermo-ecological cost of selected polymers were evaluated. The results from LCA study were compared with those obtained using exergy analysis and the impact of the production of selected polymers on the consumption of non-renewable natural resources was assessed. A life cycle assessment was conducted using three methods: Ecoindicator 99, IPCC and CED.