(96c) Evaluating the Manufacturing Emissions and End-of-Life Impact of Paperboard Cartons Vs. PET Bottles

Liquid packaging board (LPB) could be an eco-friendly alternative for single use plastics, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, and play a critical role in reducing petrochemical use as well as mitigating micro- and nano-plastic pollution. However, comprehensive life cycle assessment is required to prove the environmental benefits of LPB over PET bottles. The life cycle assessment (LCA) conducted in this study, at the manufacturing stage as well as at three different end-of-life scenarios, i.e., recycling, incineration, and landfilling, evaluates 11 environmental impact categories for LPB and PET containers. For the same container volume and number of packaging units, PET bottles caused 18% higher negative environmental impacts at the manufacturing stage. Similarly, at the end-of-life, PET bottles caused an average of 68% higher negative environmental impact if it were to be landfilled or recycled. These results underscore the pressing need for more sustainable packaging solutions amid the growing concern for ecosystem health.