Mechanical Recycling of HDPE Plastic Results in Significantly Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions than Incineration

A new Dsolve study (Research Area 2) examines the environmental impact of mechanical recycling of HDPE plastic from the aquaculture industry using life cycle assessment (LCA). The study shows that mechanical recycling of 1 tonne of HDPE results in approximately 119 kg of CO₂ equivalents when transport and operations are included, whereas incineration of the same amount results in more than 2,400 kg of CO₂ equivalents. In addition, increased use of recycled HDPE in product manufacturing significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to virgin polymer, providing valuable insights for producers and decision-makers seeking to develop more circular value chains in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.