Land-use change and valorisation of feedstock side-streams determine the climate mitigation potential of bioplastics

Globally, governments have increased their commitment to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. At the same time, compostable bioplastic market is growing rapidly as many single-use petrochemical plastics are being banned internationally. A prospective consequential life cycle assessment approach was conducted quantify environmental envelopes of production for value chains operate within bounds climate neutrality. Four indicative feedstocks (i) lignocellulosic biomass from forestry, (ii) maize biomass, (iii) food waste digestate, and (iv) were evaluated potential production. Upstream end-of-life emissions these equated GHG balances -16.3 +23.5, 0.3 1.0, 1.0 4.8, -0.1 +0.4 kg CO2 eq. per bioplastic, respectively. The scenarios demonstrated that indirect land-use change could a considerable negative impact on performance maize-based plastic, but positive impact, via terrestrial carbon sequestration, lignocellulosic-derived plastic (unless feedstock demand drives deforestation). Appropriate use residues sidestreams critical bioplastics. Efficient utilisation may require decentralisation implementation biorefinery circular economy concepts.