The application of life cycle assessment in China recycling resource management

Waste and recycling resource management is one of the most important application areas of life cycle assessment. This article first points out the importance of using the life cycle assessment in waste and recycling resource decision making, and then analyses current life cycle studies in China of different types of recycling resources, such as scrap iron and steel, scrap nonferrous metals, plastics, paper and paperboard. Studies show that, although the life cycle assessment study in China for recycling resources is limited, it is off to a good start. Preliminary findings indicate that recycling resources have significant environmental benefits, but the pollution in the regeneration process needs to be controlled.