The work of Medrek and colleagues analyses the carbon footprint of glass and PET throughout their entire life cycle, highlighting the crucial role of recovery systems in reducing emissions.
A distinctive contribution of the study is the integration of process simulation and environmental analysis: in addition to the classic LCA, BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) is used, a tool that allows all the operational phases of the packaging life cycle to be realistically represented and simulated, from production to distribution to end of life. This approach makes it possible to model variable scenarios and real conditions (such as return or recycling rates), overcoming the limitations of traditional static LCAs.
The research compares three solutions – non-returnable glass, returnable glass and PET – using real data from manufacturers and distributors. The analysis introduces a unified recovery factor that combines reuse, recycling and energy recovery, allowing a consistent assessment between different systems.
The results show a clear inverse relationship between carbon footprint and recovery levels: the more efficient the return and recycling system, the lower the emissions. In this scenario, returnable glass emerges as the most virtuous option, with a reduction in the carbon footprint of up to five times under conditions of a high return rate. PET, thanks to its low weight, maintains good performance, while single-use glass is penalised by the high energy intensity of production. The proposed model allows the results to be extended to a European level, taking into account the differences between national collection and recycling systems.
In summary, the study shows that it is not only the material that determines the impact, but the recovery system, offering concrete guidance for industry and policymakers in the transition to truly circular packaging models.
Bibliography: M. Medrek, L. Wiechetek, J. Banas, Z. Pastuszak. Modeling the carbon footprint in the life cycle of PET and glass packaging for beverages. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Volume 117, 2026, 108140, ISSN 0195-9255: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2025.108140
