Page 173 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

3.7 Illustration of the Inventory Phase by an Example 157

an LCA, inputs and outputs are important which can causally be assigned
to the incineration of the packagings. According to the introductory remarks
on process-related allocations, predominantly physical causations between
inputs and output are used. 194)

Transportation Processes for Distribution Distribution of filled packagings
requires an allocation of environmental loads between packaging and filling
materials, under consideration of the capacity utilisation of the transport
vehicle. This approach corresponds to LCA II of the Federal Environmental
Agency and is documented (Plinke et al., 2000, loc. cit).

3.7.4.2 Definition of Allocation Rules on System Level for Open-Loop Recycling

In this study the allocation for an OLR is made according to the ‘50 : 50’-
method, also a standard technique in UBA-ll/2. 195) Here, the use of secondary
material is evenly distributed in a 50:50 relationship between the delivering
and the receiving system.
In the case of a recycling of beverage cartons, the benefit in the example
is a replacement of fresh fibres. This benefit is technically assessed in the
beverage carton system in the form of a credit. The height of the credit
thereby amounts to 50% of the substituted fresh fibre production proportion
due to the employment of secondary fibres.
In this study the original UBA approach is, however, modified. In the
allocation method the phase ‘disposal’ of life cycle 2 (LC 2) of the secondary
product is additionally considered in the allocation method.

In Section 3.3.4.2 the explaining illustrations from the sample study were already
used for explanation.

3.7.5
Modelling of the System

If all considered unit processes and allocation rules are clearly defined, the cal-
culation rules according to which unit processes are to be connected have to be
introduced. This work is comfortably accomplished by the use of software pro-
grammes (in this example Umberto) with appropriate input masks and connections
to the databases provided.

194) For a detailed description of the allocation of input/output by the example of the refuse
incineration see Plinke et al., 2000, p. 81.
195) UBA, 2002, p. 14–16.