Land-use change and valorisation of feedstock side-streams determine the climate mitigation potential of bioplastics

Globally, governments have increased their commitment to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. At the same time, the compostable bioplastic market is growing rapidly as many single-use petrochemical plastics are being banned internationally. A prospective consequential life cycle assessment approach was conducted to quantify the environmental envelopes of compostable bioplastic production for the bioplastic value chains to operate within the bounds of climate neutrality. Four indicative feedstocks of (i) lignocellulosic biomass from forestry, (ii) maize biomass, (iii) food waste digestate, and (iv) food waste were evaluated for potential bioplastic production. Upstream and end-of-life emissions for these feedstocks equated to GHG balances of -16.3 to +23.5, 0.3 to 1.0, 1.0 to 4.8, and -0.1 to +0.4 kg CO2 eq. per kg bioplastic, respectively. The scenarios demonstrated that indirect land-use change could have a considerable negative impact on the environmental performance of maize-based plastic, but a positive impact, via terrestrial carbon sequestration, for lignocellulosic-derived plastic (unless increased feedstock demand drives deforestation). Appropriate use of residues and sidestreams is critical to the environmental performance of bioplastics. Efficient utilisation of residues may require decentralisation of bio-plastic production and implementation of biorefinery and circular economy concepts.

Automated summary

Governments globally have increased their commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while the compostable bioplastic market is rapidly growing. A life cycle assessment was conducted on four indicative feedstocks for bioplastic production, highlighting the importance of appropriate utilization of residues and sidestreams for the environmental performance of bioplastics.