Polyethylene packaging and alternative materials in the United States: A life cycle assessment

A collaborative effort among Trayak, ExxonMobil, and Michigan State University School of Packaging, on evaluating the potential environmental footprint of polyethylene packaging and alternative materials in the United States.

Updated from an original article written by Rafael AURAS.

Our results show that in many applications, plastics offer lower assessed potential environmental impacts in terms of global warming potential, mineral resource use, fossil energy consumption, and water scarcity. As new and better data emerge, stakeholders and policymakers can make decisions that help deliver more sustainable outcomes across different stages of a product’s life cycle – including disposal and recycling
Our results show that in many applications, plastics offer lower assessed potential environmental impacts in terms of global warming potential, mineral resource use, fossil energy consumption, and water scarcity. As new and better data emerge, stakeholders and policymakers can make decisions that help deliver more sustainable outcomes across different stages of a product’s life cycle – including disposal and recycling

Polyethylene packaging and alternative materials in the United States: A life cycle assessment

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