Integrating Decarbonization in the Plastic Value Chain for U.S. Plastic Waste Pollution Mitigation

Plastics have shown economic and environmental benefits to human activities and cause intensive pollution due to the consumption surge over decades. Utilizing recycling coupled with alternative materials to substitute plastic use could reduce waste generation and its derived pollution by macro- and microplastic debris. This study uses an optimization-based approach to identify low-carbon and plastic pollution mitigation strategies aided by life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis methodologies. A multi-objective plastic value chain optimization model is formulated to maximize the unit net present value (NPV) and minimize unit global warming potential. Results show that utilizing biomass for 60 % of plastic and alternative material production in 2024 could more than halve carbon emissions, compared to traditional fossil-based methods, which peaks the economic performance. Enhancing carbon capture and utilization’s carbon conversion rates by 20 % can mitigate waste generation and pollution, reduce 25 % of climate impacts, and extend plastic material's recyclability and reusability after 2040.