Environmental payback periods of reusable alternatives to singleā€use plastic kitchenware products

Fetner & Miller (2021)

Many consumers are moving from single-use plastics to reusable alternatives, often assuming these have lower environmental impacts; however, reusable items frequently involve more resource-intensive materials and have notable use-phase impacts. This study used LCA to examine the GWP, water consumption, and primary nonrenewable energy use of reusable alternatives for single-use plastic kitchenware, calculating environmental payback periods. Findings indicate that reusable options can offset their initial environmental impacts, depending on usage frequency, consumer habits, andā€”specifically for GWPā€”the carbon intensity of the energy grid. A key takeaway is that consumer behaviour and usage patterns significantly influence the environmental impact of reusable kitchenware.

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