The sustainability of the approach being developed within the REFRESH project will be validated by means of life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis. Project coordinator RINA is leading the sustainability analysis of the REFRESH processes and products. This work is being carried out as part of Work Package 6: Circular by design, which is led by CETMA.

RINA’s first task is focused on initial LCA of the proposed processes.

*MW-pyrolysis and MW-solvolysis: microwave-assisted (MW) thermochemical recycling technologies.

The preliminary LCA runs in parallel to the design and engineering of the proposed solutions in Work Package 1: Design of portable dismantling, shredding and sorting technologies and Work Package 2: Development and customisation of recycling processes. It includes gathering a valuable set of information about the energy and resources and potential impacts related to the REFRESH processes.

Gate-to-gate analysis

The LCA is a structured, comprehensive and internationally standardised method quantifying all relevant emissions and resources consumed and related impact on environment, human health and resources associated with any good or service. The international standards and guidelines that are used as reference points for conducting the LCA analysis are ISO 14040:2006, ISO 14044:2006, and ILCD handbook International Reference Life Cycle Data System. According to the goal and scope definition, a gate-to-gate analysis of each recycling process is being performed.

The analysis assesses the environmental performance of the innovative REFRESH recycling processes and compares them with other linear waste management processes. The environmental benefits that arise from the use of secondary raw material will also be assessed. Within the life cycle inventory (LCI) phase the REFRESH technical partners completed a questionnaire to gather input and output data of the processes. RINA is now reviewing this information, while simultaneously conducting iterative activities and validation of the LCI.

All these activities are preparatory steps that will make it possible to model, in a virtual representation, all the studied recycling processes. GaBi is the selected LCA software tool for the REFRESH project.

This initial LCA task will be completed in June 2024. From July 2024, RINA will then commence experimental LCA of recycling processes, collaborating with CETMA, Gees Recycling, Gjenkraft, CIRCE and Tecnalia. In this work REFRESH is benefitting from the expertise of RINA sustainability experts Ioana Muntean, Vincenzo Lariccia, and Mauro Clemente Villani.