Single-use polypropylene cups manufacturing: lowering the environmental toll

Abstract

Single-use plastic packaging is widely used, particularly in the food industry, and it causes significant environmental problems due to its low recycling rates and long environmental lifetime. This study investigates the environmental impact of polypropylene (PP) disposable plastic cups using life cycle analysis and real-world production data from a manufacturing plant. The system boundaries include the production and transportation of PP granules and packaging materials, as well as the cups’ manufacturing and packaging processes. Three improvement scenarios have been evaluated to reduce environmental impact: replacing PP with polylactic acid (PLA), incorporating renewable energy, and optimizing transportation routes. The results show that the largest environmental burdens come from the production and transport of PP granules, which has a significant impact on resources. Wind energy offers the most reliable reductions among renewable energy sources, and scenario analysis shows that switching to sea-based transportation routes can reduce environmental impacts by up to 45%. Furthermore, using PLA as an alternative raw material to PP significantly reduces toxicity and the use of fossil resources. However, the agricultural inputs required for PLA production contribute to increased eutrophication and acidification. These findings provide useful recommendations to legislators as well as those involved in the plastic sector.

Graphical Abstract