Priya Kumar
Independent Researcher
India
Abstract
Plastic waste management is a critical environmental challenge worldwide. Among the available technologies for plastic waste treatment, pyrolysis and incineration are commonly used for converting plastic waste into energy or useful byproducts. This manuscript presents a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) comparing pyrolysis and incineration technologies for plastic waste conversion, focusing on environmental impacts, energy recovery efficiency, and emission profiles. The study employs a cradle-to-grave analysis including raw plastic waste collection, processing, conversion, and disposal stages, with emphasis on carbon footprint, energy consumption, and pollutant emissions. Results indicate pyrolysis offers advantages in resource recovery and lower emissions of dioxins and furans, while incineration is characterized by higher thermal energy output but increased pollutant release. The conclusions provide insights for policymakers and engineers to optimize plastic waste management systems using sustainable and environment-friendly approaches.
Keywords
Plastic waste management, pyrolysis, incineration, life cycle assessment, environmental impact, energy recovery, emission analysis
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