Interview with GreenDelta

Aytan Seyidova is a Sustainability Consultant for GreenDelta, she oversees the work package related to multi-actor engagement, policy dialogue and sustainability assessments in the STOPP project, where GreenDelta is in charge of the tasks related to sustainability assessments and ecoprofiles.

1. How are the sustainability assessments being done in the context of the STOPP project? Can you outline the methodology a bit?

System Dynamics Model: First, we develop a dynamic model called a system dynamics model to understand the overall flow and impact of plastics from raw material extraction to disposal. This model incorporates factors such as consumer behaviour, production processes, and the reuse and return rates of products. The goal is to identify potential “unexpected” outcomes that could arise in real-life scenarios and have a more non-linear approach. For example, while Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) might show that reusable cups are more sustainable from cradle to grave than single-use cups, they may not account for the actual return and reuse rates of reusable cups and their impact on production rates.

The second tool or method we use is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) which is for evaluating the environmental impact of a product throughout its entire life, from raw material extraction and production to use and disposal. It helps us understand the total effect of a product on the environment, so we can make more sustainable choices. In this project, LCA will be applied to assess six different scenarios to evaluate the recyclability of bio-based plastics and smart food packaging compared to traditional polyolefin packaging in the waste stream.

In simple terms, LCA helps us understand the full environmental impact of a product, not just a part of it, so we can make better choices for the planet.

2. What is an Ecoprofile?  How will they be used in the STOPP project?  

Eco-profiles focus on the early stages of making plastics, by looking at what happens from gathering raw materials up to when the product is ready to leave the factory. They don’t cover what happens after, like how the product is used or disposed of.

Eco-profiles help us understand the environmental impact of making products, such as how much energy is used and what kind of emissions are produced. This information can be used to compare different ways of making the same product to find out which method is better for the environment. We can call Eco-profiles data sets in other terms.

So far, more than 70 eco-profiles have been made for common chemicals and plastics, but most of them focus on new (not recycled) plastics. There isn’t much data available for recycled plastics, which are becoming more important as we try to be more environmentally friendly.

The STOPP project aims to fill this gap by creating 50 eco-profiles for recycled plastics more precisely food packaging plastics. These profiles will help us better understand the benefits of recycling plastics and asses cases and compare them.

In short, this project is working to provide better information on recycled plastics so that we can make smarter choices about recycling and its impact on the environment.

3. How do your tasks within the STOPP project interact with the rest of the project?

In the STOPP project, our work requires continuous collaboration with all the partners. In short below you can see what we do for the partners and what we need from the partners.

What We Do:

1. Sustainability Assessment: We evaluate the environmental impacts of new materials and products developed by our partners. This involves identifying significant areas of environmental impact and assessing how these materials affect the environment throughout their lifecycle.
2. Guidance and Recommendations: Based on our assessments, we provide detailed recommendations on how to address environmental hotspots and reduce the overall impact of these products. This guidance helps partners refine their materials and products to enhance sustainability.
3. Collaborative Improvement: We integrate our findings with the development processes of our partners to optimize their products and materials. We aim to ensure that the innovations being developed are as environmentally friendly and sustainable as possible.

What We Need from Partners:

Feedback and Validation: We seek partners’ input on the findings and recommendations provided, as well as their validation of the data and assessments. This helps ensure that our sustainability evaluations are accurate and practical.

Data and Information: We require detailed information about the materials and products being developed, including their production processes, potential environmental impacts, and any specific challenges faced.

Collaboration on Improvements: We need partners to work closely with us, incorporating our recommendations and feedback into their product development processes. This collaboration is crucial for effectively improving sustainability.