Life Cycle Assessment of Aluminum and Polystyrene Food Packaging: A Closer Look at Restaurant “To-Go” Containers

Life Cycle Assessment of Aluminum and Polystyrene Food Packaging: A Closer Look at Restaurant “To-Go” Containers

Alvin Sherman Library 1054

The objective of this project is to formulate an environmental assessment of the performance of aluminum (mined from bauxite) and polystyrene (petroleum based) single-use food containers commonly used by the restaurant industry. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method will be employed as the means of product comparison throughout the entire life cycle. This LCA includes an inventory analysis (taking into account the various inputs and outputs of the manufacturing process), an impact analysis (taking into account various emissions and their effect on the environment), and an improvement analysis including an evaluation matrix (which reports on the preferable product and makes suggestions for improvement in the manufacturing process). This approach use’s a “cradle-to-grave” methodology to determine costs and benefits of manufacturing, use, disposal, and recovery of products. Additionally, the impacts on human health and safety as well as the costs of manufacture, recycling, and consumer- cost of the finished product are evaluated. At the primary production level polystyrene appears to be a more environmentally preferable and slightly more economically sound choice. However, aluminum is a highly recyclable material, which leads to lower secondary market price and possible reduced emissions.