Assessment of the plastic flows in The Netherlands using STREAMS

Abstract

Abstract The STREAMS method, a method for material flow analysis based on national supply and use tables, is examined in an assessment of the flows of plastics in The Netherlands, for the reference year 1990. The method proves to be a powerful tool to get a total overview of plastic flows in The Netherlands. Using the method, it is possible to obtain a highly detailed view on the final consumption of materials, for which hitherto only highly aggregated estimates were available. With the STREAMS method, total final plastics consumption in The Netherlands in the year 1990 is calculated at 1260 kt, which fairly matches other estimates in literature. The STREAMS method also provides information on the final consumption of plastics on lower aggregation levels, e.g. the final consumption of plastics divided between industry sectors, split up between packaging, components and final products. Our calculations show that with regard to plastics in The Netherlands, apparent consumption, calculated as raw materials production plus imports minus exports, although easily calculable, is a rather poor approximation for final consumption. Several issues that affect the accuracy of the results of the STREAMS method are discussed and estimates are made of their contributions to the mean deviation of the results. Total mean deviation is calculated at ±30% for results presented on lower aggregation levels. On higher aggregation levels the accuracy of the results is much higher.