Mechanical Recycling of Interior Coverings in Public Transport: a Life Cycle Assessment Study

The public transportation sector, particularly railways and bus network, plays a critical role in advancing sustainable mobility models. Interior materials, especially in seating, are primarily composed of synthetic polymers such as polyester, polyurethane, and polyamides, which are chosen for their durability, resistance to wear, and user comfort. Nonetheless, they often face inadequate management at the end of their life cycle, leading to environmentally unsustainable disposal methods, such as landfilling or incineration. Mechanical recycling of technical textiles has emerged as a promising solution for addressing these challenges. This method involves physically processing synthetic materials, breaking them down into fibers or granules that can be repurposed for new applications. Evaluating the environmental performance of mechanical recycling requires a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach, which quantifies the environmental impacts across the entire process—from collection and sorting to the production of secondary raw materials. This study investigates the potential of mechanical recycling for polymeric interior materials used in buses and trains, focusing on their environmental, technological, and economic aspects. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is employed to evaluate the sustainability of mechanical recycling compared to other end-of-life scenarios, such as landfilling, highlighting how mechanical recycling represents a sustainable and effective solution for managing end-of-life polymeric interior materials in the public transportation sector.