Environmental payback periods of reusable alternatives to single-use plastic kitchenware products

Many consumers are transitioning away from single-use plastic products and turning to reusable alternatives. Oftentimes, this change is being made with the assumption that these alternatives have fewer environmental impacts; however, frequently more environmentally intensive materials use phase impacts. This study used LCA examine GWP, water consumption, primary nonrenewable energy associated for kitchenware determined payback periods. The impacts each alternative calculated on functional units of 1 use, year (5 uses/week), 5 years uses/week). Payback periods defined as number times a consumer must reuse an in order impact per be equivalent product. research explored sensitivity results different washing behaviors, well local conditions such overall transportation distances carbon intensity electricity grids. Product types studied included straws (4 reusable, 2 single-use), sandwich storage (2 3 coffee cups (3 forks (1 single-use, reusable). Environmental were highly dependent due dishwashing, making period sensitive frequency method, grid (used heating). For products, material/manufacturing was largest contributor It found nine twelve able breakeven all three indicators. cup product type only one alternative, ceramic mug, shortest categories. Both bamboo straw beeswax wrap unable any scenario high manual washing. can their resource materials, but it uses, behavior, grid. A key takeaway behavior patterns influence ultimate products. Some recommendations looking reduce include following: