Steps Towards a Template for Fair Comparisons Between Single‐Use and Reusable Items

ABSTRACT In this paper, the factors taken up in LCA studies comparing single‐use to reuse are evaluated. Based on literature research, the insight was obtained that there are many single‐use vs. reuse comparisons that do not take into account the full picture of a reuse system. These factors are defined and further explored using single‐use/reuse system comparison case studies. A method to calculate the impact of reuse systems and to compare it to single‐use systems is presented in terms of equations based on the case studies. The equations are used to show the relevance of taking up specific parameters using different input values. Significance is shown for the following factors: Single‐use components in a reuse system Constant factors in a reuse system Pool size compared to system size in a reuse system Loss percentage With this method, several factors are taken up outside of LCA software in order to determine a break‐even point or to understand the trajectory of the system impact over rotations. Together with inventory reporting according to ISO 14040/14044 this can be the basis for transparent reuse system impact calculations and its fair comparison to single‐use system impact.