Systems Analysis and Optimization of Circular PET Packaging Supply Chains in the United States: Environmental and Socioeconomic Impacts

Journal Article · Mon Jun 02 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Journal of Advanced Manufacturing and Processing

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/amp2.70008· OSTI ID:2997602

Chaudhari, Utkarsh S. ^[1]; Watkins, David W. ^[1]; Handler, Robert M. ^[1]; Reck, Barbara K. ^[2]; Johnson, Anne T. ^[3]; Hossain, Tasmin ^[4]; Hartley, Damon S. ^[4]; Thompson, Vicki S. ^[4]; Peralta, Alejandra ^[5]; Shonnard, David R. ^[1]

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1. Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, MI (United States)
2. Yale Univ., New Haven, CT (United States)
3. Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
4. Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
5. Chemstations Inc., Houston, TX (United States)

Many actions are underway at global, national, and local levels to address the plastic waste problem and transition toward a circular economy of plastics. Studies evaluating environmental and socioeconomic impacts of such a transition are lacking. Here, the purpose of this study is to conduct a national systems analysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging supply chains in the United States. Material flow data was combined with environmental and socioeconomic indicators to evaluate and compare the sustainability of the linear PET packaging supply chain, current (2019) supply chain, and possible future circular supply chain options in the United States. Environmentally optimal circular US PET packaging material flows showed 31% and 38% savings of GHG emissions and energy demand, respectively, with a circularity of 77% when compared with a linear supply chain. Additionally, the environmentally optimal system showed higher employment (29%) and wages (31%) than a linear system, but with a 5% decrease in revenue generation. A socioeconomically optimal circular PET supply chain showed increased employment (by 52%), wages (by 67%), and revenues (by 1%), with a circularity of 59% when compared with the linear system. However, it showed 14% higher GHG emissions than a linear system, indicating a trade-off between environmentally and socioeconomically optimal circular PET packaging systems. Overall, linear-to-circular material flow transition may not necessarily lead to increased revenues and decreased environmental impacts of the entire system, but it does benefit society due to increased employment and wages. Future systems analysis work should focus on improving data quality for environmental and socioeconomic dimensions.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO); USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC07-05ID14517; EE0007897
• OSTI ID: 2997602
• Report Number(s): INL/JOU--25-85527
• Journal Information: Journal of Advanced Manufacturing and Processing, Journal Name: Journal of Advanced Manufacturing and Processing Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 7; ISSN 2637-403X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

PET
polyolefins
socioeconomic
supply chains