Life cycle material flow analysis of PVC products in Thailand

Abstract

The purposes of this research work were to study material flows of selected PVC products based on life cycle approach (gate-to-grave) covering production, usage, and end-of-life and to develop models for life cycle material flow analysis (LC-MFA) in order to assess the metabolism of PVC products in Thailand. First, the proposed material flow models were developed for LC-MFA of the selected PVC products, both hard and soft products, including pipe, profile, cable, floor tile, floorcovering, shoes and hose. Production data of these PVC products during 1971-2013 were used as an inflow of the models. Adjustable parameters of the models were the average service lifetime of each product, variation of the service lifetime based on normal distribution, and PVC waste management systems (recycle, landfill, and incineration). Based on this, dynamic models of input and output of the system could be constructed and used to calculate/predict of the outflow of PVC products in different pathways. In addition, four scenarios were created by varying different ratios of waste managements. From all PVC waste management scenarios studied, the results indicate that the recycle process had a significant role in reducing PVC waste emission and accumulation. Moreover, on-site data were collected at actual waste collection sites, disposal sites, and recycle shops and used to adjust the LC-MFA model to reflect present situation. From landfill site visits, the target PVC products have a relatively small amount of PVC waste at landfill sites. From recycle shop, we found that up to 95% of Pipe & fitting are being recycled which is highest followed by hose (63% recycled) and shoes (almost 20%). Other products still show low recycling rate which may be due to lack of application for recycled wastes, etc.