Work

How far does and how can a city's recyclable materials system reach the ultimate greenhouse gas reduction potential?

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Recyclable materials are expected to make a substantial contribution to achieving the global objective of “Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality”. Combining material field sampling and spatiotemporal data collected through the Internet of Things for various recyclable materials, this study integrated material flow analysis and life cycle assessment to develop a global warming potential model for urban recyclable materials management system, covering 17 subcategories of recyclable materials and addressing both recycling and incineration processes. Using an Asian megacity with a population of 25 million as the target city, the results indicate that the recycling of recyclable materials in this city resulted in a substantial greenhouse gas reduction benefit of −15,197 to −8,489 t CO 2 -equivalent per day. However, under current recycling technologies, a substantial portion (over 65 %) of the greenhouse gas reduction potential remains unrealized currently, primarily because approximately 66.7 % ± 3.7 % of recyclable materials are still subjected to incineration. Thus, the entire system remains a carbon source. To realize more greenhouse gas reduction potential, initiatives should simultaneously focus on source reduction, recycling system, and waste-to-energy processe, rather than a single aspect. For incineration part, the focus should be on reducing high fossil-carbon plastics like expanded polystyrene and enhancing electricity generation efficiency. In recycling part, the strategy should be to increase total recycling amounts while ensuring secondary material yield, with emphasis on the recycling of aluminum, EPS, and chemical fibers.

Source: Energy & Environmental Sustainability

DOI: 10.1016/j.eesus.2025.100053

Authors: Tao Lu, Fan Lü, Nanlin Liao, Zhan Yang, Hua Zhang, Pinjing He

Institutions: Tongji University, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security

Language: English

Topic: Municipal Solid Waste Management

Subfield: Waste Management and Disposal

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Climate action, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,400