Evaluating scenarios for carbon reduction using different tableware in China

Abstract

Global consumption of disposable plastic tableware (DPT) is massive because it is durable, light and inexpensive. Using the life cycle assessment method, we found that DPT for per person per meal emitted 597 g of CO2 and was far more than that of reusable plastic tableware (RPT, 7.00 g), ceramic tableware (9.55 g) and straw tableware (14.6 g). If the demand growth for DPT continues, 416 MT of CO2 will be emitted due to DPT consumption by 2050 globally. We further explored strategies to reduce CO2 emissions by examining the life cycles of four types of tableware according to sensitivity analysis. According to our results, if the recycling rate of DPT reaches 60% at the end-of-life stage, 50% of CO2 emissions can be cut; if dishwashing instead of hand washing is used to clean RPT, ceramic, and straw tableware, approximately 64%, 71%, and 23% of CO2 emissions can be reduced, respectively. If 60% of DPT is replaced by RPT, this plastic tableware will halve carbon emissions. If the rate reaches 100%, carbon emissions will be reduced by 92%. Although the CO2 emissions of the three types of tableware other than DPT are relatively small, RPT will bring other environmental burdens and human health risks, ceramic tableware is bulky and its additives are toxic. Straw tableware combines practical and safety performance. The results show that the choice of straw tableware plays a significant role in curbing the greenhouse effect without compromising consumer safety.