Measuring the climate impact of recycling plastic waste
At every step of its lifecycle, plastic contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making climate change and plastic pollution interconnected stressors on the environment. While improved plastic waste management and recycling can mitigate the impact of climate change, decision-makers lack the relevant tools and accessible information to assess the investment opportunity in this space.
The Plastic Lifecycle Assessment Calculator for the Environment and Society (PLACES) is The Circulate Initiative’s response to this demand for accurate, market-specific data to inform decisions on climate-related investments and solutions to the plastic problem.
PLACES is the first tool of its kind offering users the ability to assess the climate impact of current waste management practices in South and Southeast Asia, from open burning to recycling.
The open-access calculator tracks the GHG emissions reductions, energy and water savings of waste management and recycling solutions that prevent plastic pollution in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
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Generate climate-related measurements of recycling plastic waste
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Carbon footprint: Measures the GHG emissions avoided from diverted plastic waste from the environment.
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Energy consumption: Measures the use of different renewable and non-renewable energy sources, including fossil fuels and biomass.
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Water consumption: Measures the amount of water that is evaporated, disposed into water bodies, or incorporated in products.
Geographical Coverage
Who should use PLACES?
INVESTORS
ESG-focused investors can use the calculator to evaluate supply chain interventions to mitigate climate risks and strengthen the transition to a low-carbon economy.
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CITY PLANNERS
Waste management and urban resilience planning teams can quantify and compare the impacts of recycling interventions and strategic scenarios.
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ENTREPRENEURS
Recyclers and service providers can use the calculator to estimate their contribution to greenhouse gas, energy, and water savings.
CORPORATES
Corporates can use the calculator as a management tool to understand the environmental impact and prioritize recycling as a plastic waste management strategy.
Resources
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Offline Calculator
An offline version of the PLACES calculator is available on request once the necessary licenses are purchased. Please email places@thecirculateinitiative.org if you are interested.
