A Socio-economic Indicator for EoL Strategies for Bio-based Products

• Published in: Ecological economics Vol. 178; p. 106794
• Main Authors: D'Adamo, Idiano, Falcone, Pasquale Marcello, Imbert, Enrica, Morone, Piergiuseppe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2020
• Subjects: Bio-based products; Economic criteria; End of life; Multicriteria analysis; Social criteria; Bio-based products; Economic criteria; Social criteria; End of life; Multicriteria analysis
• ISSN: 0921-8009
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2020.106794

In recent years, the bioeconomy has received increased attention from policy makers and practitioners, leading to a first switch from fossil to bio-based products. To open up new market opportunities, transparent information on the sustainability of bio-based products must be provided, taking into account all life cycle stages. The determination of suitable end of life (EoL) strategies furthers this aim. Notably, the socio-economic aspects of EoL alternatives associated with bio-based products have been neglected. This paper contributes to filling this gap by proposing a new socio-economic indicator for EoL (SEI-EoL). The SEI-EoL is developed from an integrated analytic hierarchy process–multicriteria decision analysis (AHP-MCDA) model based on experts' involvement, and is capable of measuring and comparing the socio-economic performance of EoL alternatives for bio-based products. The SEI-EoL is applied to the specific case of polylactic acid (PLA)–based film for food packaging. The results indicate that value chain actors are the most influential category of stakeholders in EoL management, and the assessment of criteria shows that waste disposal cost, resource efficiency and EoL responsibility play a key role in this management. The highest value EoL strategy for PLA-based film for food packaging is mechanical recycling, followed by chemical recycling. Circularity assessment, policy maker responsibility and incentives for recycled materials/green processes represent the most relevant items to consider for policy recommendations and actions. [Display omitted] •A new socio-economic indicator for EoL option (SEI-EoL) is proposed.•SEI-EoL is based on an integrated AHP-MCDA methodology.•Value chain actors are the category that mainly influences EoL management.•Waste disposal cost plays a pivotal role among criteria.•Mechanical recycling is the best option for the PLA-based film for food packaging.