CHALLENGES AND OPORTUNITIES IN GREEN PLASTICS: AN ASSESSMENT USING THE ELECTRE DECISION-AID METHOD

Bioplastics are biobased materials, usually easy biodegradable, derived from renewable resources. Evolution of bioplastics production is related to: bio starch and starch mixtures (74.5%); bioplastic products from fermentation (13%), bioplastic from petrochemicals materials (12.5%). They are seen as a viable solution to avoid some environmental impacts caused by the use of fossil-based conventional plastics. In this context, the general objectives of this study entail the analysis and selection of the optimal alternative of bioplastics able to be used for packaging production, considering social, economic and environmental criteria. In order to accomplish these objectives, we applied the ELECTRE method (ELimination Et Choix TRaduisant la RealitE), a multi-criteria analysis method. Application of this method enables the use of qualitative and quantitative discrete criteria, making also possible alternatives ranking. The application of ELECTRE method in our study consisted in selecting different types of bioplastics which were compared considering some consistent criteria so as to assess their economic and environmental performances. Based on the application of multiple criteria evaluation we concluded that bioplastics, in particular polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are suitable from economic and environmental points of views for manufacturing and utilization of packaging.