Analysis of Circular Economy Strategies for PET Bottles in Argentina: An Integrated Approach

Abstract

The environmental consequences of high plastic consumption in a linear economy (extraction-use-disposal) are a global concern. Clearly, more sustainable production and consumption strategies for this material need to be sought. The Circular Economy presents itself as a potential solution to this problem. This work is part of the doctoral thesis entitled "Reducing the Environmental Impact Throughout the Lifecycle of Single-Use Plastic Products in Argentina through the Application of Circular Economy Strategies. Development of Regional Indicators". The general objective of the thesis is to contribute to industrial sustainability by proposing circular systems that reduce the overall impact associated with the production and consumption of plastics in Argentina. Specifically, this study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of circular economy strategies in the food-grade PET bottle chain in Argentina. To achieve this, technical, social and economic challenges associated with the implementation of these strategies will be addressed using a combination of three methodologies: Material Flow Analysis (MFA), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Optimization.