The purpose of this project was to analyze life cycle of biomass plastic and to promote extended producer responsibility (EPR) recycling scheme of biomass plastic, expanded polystyrene (EPS) and mobile communication products. In order to compare local environmental benefits of biomass plastic containers with the traditional ones, we assessed the environmental impact from raw material production to disposal stage. The functional unit was chosen as 1,000 containers. The results showed Polylactide (PLA) products were 2-35% less energy consumption in comparison with polystyrene paper (PSP) trays, EPS cups, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) egg boxes and high density polyethylene (HDPE) bags. PLA products emitted 20-44% less greenhouse gases than most traditional plastic products, but with 39-59% higher PM2.5 pollution. The human toxicity for PS products was 81-93% higher than others. Furthermore, we analyzed cost-effectiveness of biomass plastic on different end-of-life scenarios. The waste treatment business might lose NTD 17 per kilogram, if PLA containers were mixed into traditional recycling scheme. Therefore, we suggested that a recognition system for biomass plastic should be established. Recycling and sorting PLA should be promoted continually to prevent mixing with traditional plastic. For recycling methods, regenerating materials had the highest benefit. It could gain NTD 8 per kilogram from treatment. This project also reviewed EPR recycling method of biomass plastic. Although the recycling quantity of biomass was unable to increase significantly at the beginning, the recycling scheme has been established. It remained to be supervised and guided as a follow-up for increasing recycling effectiveness. For the EPR recycling scheme of EPS, the recycling rate in 2010 was estimated to reach 50%. Moreover, this project also aided in signing the Memorandum of Understanding for recycling mobile communication products. In addition to the original 15 mobile communication companies, other 8 companies were expected to join, the recycling spots for mobile phones would increase to more than 10,000. It could raise the convenience of recycling. We suggested establishing an evaluation index system for the recycling rate of mobile phones and public’s disposal behaviors. We also suggested analyzing the data of recycle quantity from implementing agencies, in order to increase the credibility of data and transparency of waste flow.

Polylactide (PLA);Expanded Polystyrene;Mobile Communication Products