Abstract
Recycling of a product can lead to the same product or to other products. Within the Inventory Analysis of LCA, the first process is called closed-loop recycling and poses relatively small methodological problems, whereas the second, open-loop recycling, involves major allocation problems. Basically, open-loop recycling creates a new, larger system which should be treated as one system in the inventory analysis from a scientific point of view. Since this is frequently not possible, allocation rules have to be applied in order to treat one of the subsystems separately. In this review, the different allocation rules proposed are presented and discussed with respect to the criteria of mathematical neatness, feasibility and justice/incentive for both producers and users of secondary raw materials.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Boustead 1994:Boustead, I.: Principles of Plastic Recycling (in LCA). SPOLD, Brussels 1994 2nd, revised edition
EPA 1993:ViGon, B.W.; Tolle, D.A.; Cornaby, B.W.; Latham, H.C.; Harrison, C.L..; Bogki, T.I..; Hunt, R.G.; Skliers, J.D. (Eds.): Life Cycle Assessment: Inventory Guidelines and Principles. EPA/600/R-92/245, Cincinnati, Ohio February 1993
Fleischer 1993:Fleischer, G.: Der “ökologische break-even- point” für das Recycling. In:Thomékozmiesky, K.J. (Ed.): Modelle für eine zukünftigc Siedlungsabfallwirtschaft; EF-Verlag für Energie- und Umwelttechnik, Berlin 1993
Fraunhofer 1994: Fraunhofer-Institut für Lcbensmirteltechnologie und Verpackung, München: Anleitung zur Erstellung einer Produkt-Ökobilanz. Theoretischer Teil. München 1994
Hunt et al. 1992:Hunt, R.G.;Sklilkrs, J.D.;Franklin, W.E.: Resource and Environmental Profile Analysis: A Life Cycle Environmental Assessment for Products and Procedures. Environ. Impact Assess. Rev. 12 (1992) 245–269
KlöPffer And Renner 1994:KlöPffer, W.; Renner, I.: Methodik der Wirkungsbilanz im Rahmen von Produkt-Ökobilanzen unter Berücksichtigung nicht oder nur schwer quantifizierbarer Umwelt- Kategorien. Report of C.A.U. GmbH, Dreieich, to Umweltbundesamt (UBA), Berlin, Mai 1994. Published in UBA-Texte, 23/95 Berlin 1995
Leiden 1994:Huppes, G.; Schneider, F. (Eds.): Proceedings of the European Workshop on Allocation in LCA. Leiden, February 1994. SETAC-Europe, Brussels 1994
Leuven 1990: Life Cycle Analysis for Packaging Environmental Assessment. Proceedings of the Specialised Workshop, Leuven, Belgium - September 24/25 (1990)
Projektgemeinschaft Lebenswegbilanzen 1992: Projektgemeinschaft Lebenswegbilanzen (FhG-ILV, München, GVM, Wiesbaden, ifeu, Heidelberg): Methode für Lebenswegbilanzen von Verpackungssystemen. September 1992
SETAC 1991:Fava, J.A.;Denison, R.;Jones, B.;Curran, M.A.;Vigon, B.;Selke, S.;Barnum, J. (Eds.): SETAC Workshop Report: A Technical Framework for Life Cycle Assessments. August 18–23, Smugglers Notch, Vermont. Washington, DC January 1991
SETAC 1992: Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry - Europe (Ed.): Life Cycle Assessment. Workshop Report, December 2–3, 1991, Leiden. SETAC-Europe, Brussels, April 1992
SETAC 1993: Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC): Guidelines for Life Cycle Assessment: A “Code of Practice”. From the SETAC Workshop held at Sesimbra, Portugal, March 31 - April 3, 1993. Edition 1, August 1993
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Klöpffer, W. Allocation rule for open-loop recycling in life cycle assessment. Int. J. LCA 1, 27–31 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02978629
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02978629