The role of product information in automotive plastics recycling: a financial and life cycle assessment

Over the last 30 years the use of light weight, inexpensive, and durable plastics in automobiles has nearly tripled on a per vehicle basis. Although this has created benefits such as increased fuel efficiency and associated lower CO2 emissions, the growing disposition of plastics from end-of-life vehicles has put increasing pressure on North American landfill capacity.Financial and life cycle assessment models were developed and applied to the current and proposed recycling business operations of AADCO Automotive Incorporated (AADCO), a leading Canadian automotive dismantling company. By applying both kinds of models, two key questions are addressed. First, how much is it expected to cost AADCO to participate in a start-up automotive plastics recycling network? and second, by estimating greenhouse gas emissions and energy requirements, is recycling automotive plastics actually better for the environment compared to manufacturing virgin plastic resin within the boundaries set forth in this case study?The present study concluded that the proposed recycling network would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy requirements by nearly 50% when compared to the current operations at AADCO (equating to a reduction of 1063 tonnes of CO2(eq) and 18 TJ, respectively). However, in spite of the environmental benefits, the magnitude of the added costs for AADCO to participate in the post-consumer automotive plastics recycling network resulted in an unprofitable value proposition for the company.