Environmental and economic analysis of end of life management options for an HDPE product using a life cycle thinking approach

Manufacturers have been increasingly considering the implication of materials used in commercial products and the management of such products at the end of their useful lives (as waste or as post-consumer secondary materials). The present work describes the application of the life cycle thinking approach to a plastic product, specifically an anti-glare lamellae (used for road safety applications) made with high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This study shows that optimal environmental and economic outcomes associated with this product can be realized by recovering the material at the end of its useful life (end of life, EoL) and by using the recycled HDPE as a raw material in the production of new similar products. The study confirmed the applicability of the life cycle thinking approach by industry in sustainable products development, supporting the development of robust environmental and economic guidelines.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) - SFRH/ BD/60852/2009). Financial support of FCT to the Institute for Polymers and Composites (IPC) through Strategic Project-LA 25-2012-2013 (PEst-C/CTM/LA0025/2013)