This is a brief description of studies that exemplify the methods and approaches that have been developed and used by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) researchers in conducting integrated assessments. See the complete list of Integrated Assessment Briefs to find out more about ORNL's efforts in integrated assessment. Contact Mike Farrell (farrellmp@ornl.gov) for more information.

Plastics Recycling: Economic, Social, and Institutional Issues

A projection of post-consumer plastic waste is shown for different sectors in the year 2000.

The United States currently recycles about 2% of its post-consumer plastic waste. To what extent can this percentage be increased by overcoming selected technical, economic, social, and institutional obstacles? What is the economic viability of plastics recycling as compared to other forms of waste management?

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has completed numerous studies in the area of plastics recycling during the past decade. Study results suggest that as much as 14% of all post-consumer plastics could be recycled if efforts are targeted at overcoming obstacles to recycling clean, single-resin waste streams. As much as 55% could be recycled if economically viable methods can be developed to collect and process waste streams that contain at least 50% thermoplastic materials.

Given current technology, social, and institutional constraints, the economic viability of recycling plastic waste is questionable. In many areas of the country, recycling can cost as much as $200 per ton as compared to about $40 per ton for landfill or incineration. Some have argued for additional recycling on the basis of reducing environmental externalities. It is not clear, however, that the externalities associated with recycling are significantly less than with other approaches to waste management.

Curlee, T. R., S. Das, and U.S. EPA. 1991. Plastic Wastes: Management, Control, Recycling, and Disposal. Noyes Publishing, Park Ridge, N.J.

Curlee, T. R., 1986. The Economic Feasibility of Recycling: A Case Study of Plastic Wastes. Praeger Publishing, New York.

Where To?

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Integrated Assessment Briefs. 1995. ORNL/M-4227. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN.