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A Study on the Optimal Method of Eco-Friendly Recycling through the Comparative Analysis of the Quantitative Calculation and Scope of Recycling

  • Seung-jun WOO (Department of Environment Health & Safety, Eulji University) ;
  • Eun-gyu LEE (Department of Environment Health & Safety, Eulji University) ;
  • Chul-hyun NAM (Department of Environment Health & Safety, Eulji University) ;
  • Kang-hyuk LEE (Department of Environment Health & Safety, Eulji University) ;
  • Woo-Taeg KWON (Department of Environmental Health & Safety, Eulji University) ;
  • Hee-Sang YU (Unionenv. CO. LTD.)
  • Received : 2024.08.01
  • Accepted : 2024.08.12
  • Published : 2024.09.30

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present an efficient emission reduction ratio of plastic to reduce carbon dioxide, the main cause of greenhouse gases. Research design, data and methodology: This study calculated the absolute value of carbon dioxide by setting an equation through the emission coefficient using the US EPA's WARM model. Results: In the recycling ratio of 70%, it was found that the energy recovery ratio was 15.6%, which was the energy recovery ratio without generating carbon dioxide. When carbon dioxide is generated by changing plastic waste emissions, optimal efficiency is achieved by reducing emissions by 10% to 30% of energy recovery ratio, 20% to 50% of energy recovery ratio, and 30% to 80% or more of energy recovery ratio. Conclusions: The recycling rate should be set at a minimum of 70%, so that a carbon dioxide-free energy recovery rate could be obtained during the recycling process, supporting an eco-friendly basis for environmental policies aimed at this rate. In addition, it was possible to suggest that it is essential to reduce emissions by at least 30% for eco-friendly recycling measures that can achieve both economic and environmental feasibility in the energy recovery process through incineration during recycling in Korea.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the research grant of the KODISA Scholarship Foundation in 2024. This work is financially supported by Korea Ministry of Environment (MOE) as 「Graduate School specialized in Climate Change」.

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