Environmental Impact Assessment of the Paper Recycling Process using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Approach: A Case Study of Persia Golestan Paper Factory

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran

2 Department of Agroecology, Agricultural Systems and Sustainability, Arhus University in Arhus City, Denmark

Abstract

This research conducts a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Top White Liner paper produced by Persia Golestan Paper Factory, utilizing SimaPro software and the ReCiPe method to assess its environmental effects. The functional unit for this assessment was 1 ton of Top White Liner paper. Notably, this marks the first application of this method to assess the effects of paper production in Iran. Findings indicate that calcium carbonate is the primary contributor to adverse environmental impacts, including global warming, particulate matter formation, acidification, ecosystem toxicity, and resource depletion. Furthermore, Alkyl Ketene Dimer (AKD) and sodium hypochlorite significantly influence ozone depletion, marine eutrophication, and water consumption. Prioritizing human health and ecosystem quality, the overall environmental score for the product was determined to be -19.8 Pt, signifying a net environmental benefit. A comparative analysis with similar recycled paper products from global SimaPro databases reveals that while Top White Liner demonstrates superior performance in critical categories such as global warming and particulate matter formation, further optimization is required in toxicity, eutrophication, and resource depletion. These findings underscore the imperative of integrating recycled materials and implementing process improvements to mitigate the environmental footprint of paper production. This study exemplifies the utility of integrated LCA methodologies in guiding sustainable production practices and informing policy development within the paper industry, thereby contributing to broader sustainable development goals.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Ahmadi Saeedabad, F., Sharifi, S. H., Nabavi, A. & Asadpour, G., 2022. Life cycle assessment of SMF and GMF fluting paper production process. Iranian Journal of Wood and Paper Industries, 13(3), 249–259.
ATSDR., 2001. Toxicological profile for calcium.
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/tp.asp?id=1273&tid=267 (accessed 27 May 2025).
Dias, A.C., Arroja, L. & Capela, I., 2007. Life cycle assessment of printing and writing paper produced in Portugal. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 12(7), 521-528.
Coursely, F., Fiorentino, G., Vehmas, J. & Ulgiati, S., 2018. Energy efficiency and environmental assessment of papermaking from chemical pulp: A Finland case study. Journal of Cleaner Production, 198, 96–111.
Database & Support team at PRé Sustainability., 2023. SimaPro Database Manual. PRé Sustainability, Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Available at: https://simapro.com (Accessed: December 2023).
Doka, G. 2009. Life cycle inventory of the disposal of lignite spoil, coal spoil and coal tailings. Zürich: Doka Life Cycle Assessments. Retrieved from:
           http://www.doka.ch/DokaCoalTailings.pdf
Evangelisti, S., Lettieri, P., Borello, D. & Clift, R., 2014. Life cycle assessment of energy from waste via anaerobic digestion: A UK case study. Waste Management, 34(1), 226–237.
Farhadi, E. & Rezaei, M.R., 2013. Life cycle assessment (LCA) studies as a step toward sustainable development in the dairy industry. 2nd National Conference on Sustainable Development in Geography, Planning, Architecture and Urbanism. Kharazmi University.
Ghasemian, A. & Khalili, A., 2011. Principle and methods of paper recycle. Tehran: Aiij Press.
Ghasempour, A. & Ahmadi, E., 2018. Evaluation of environmental effects in producing three main crops (corn, wheat and soybean) using life cycle assessment. Agricultural Engineering International: CIGR Journal, 20(4), 123–130.
Hauschild, M.Z., 2017. Introduction to LCA methodology. In Life cycle assessment: theory and practice (pp. 59-66). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Hoseinkhani, H., 2019. Supplying raw materials for the wood and paper industry of the country using nature. Nature of Iran, 3(6), 6–12.
Huijbregts, M.A., Steinmann, Z.J., Elshout, P.M., Stam, G., Verones, F., Vieira, M. ... & Van Zelm, R., 2017. ReCiPe2016: a harmonised life cycle impact assessment method at midpoint and endpoint level. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 22(2), 138-147.
Kermanian, H., Razmpour, Z., Ramezani, O., Mahdavi, S., Rahmaninia, M. & Ashtari, H., 2013. The influence of refining history of waste NSSC paper on its recyclability. BioResources, 8(4).
Matos, C.T., Oliveira, A.C., Gírio, F., Fonseca, C., Marques, S., Gonçalves, M.S. & Sebastião, D., 2016. Life cycle assessment of advanced bioethanol production from pulp and paper sludge. Bioresource Technology, 208, 100–109.
Ping, L., Zhuang, H. & Shan, S., 2019. New insights into pollutants removal, toxicity reduction and microbial profiles in a lab-scale IC-A/O-membrane reactor system for paper wastewater reclamation. Science of the Total Environment, 674, 374–382.
Pokhrel, D. & Viraraghavan, T., 2004. Treatment of pulp and paper mill wastewater—A review. Science of the Total Environment, 333(1–3), 37–58.
Sharifi Taskouh, H., Azizi, M. & Hamzeh, Y., 2021. Identification of effective indicators in optimizing energy consumption in Kaveh paper industries company using the analytic hierarchy process. Iranian Journal of Wood and Paper Industries, 12(3), 391–401.
Poopak, S. & Agamuthu, P., 2011. Life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) of paper making process in Iran. African Journal of Biotechnology, 10(24), 4860-4870.
Van der Voet, E., Van Oers, L., Moll, S., Schütz, H., Bringezu, S., De Bruyn, S., Sevenster, M. and Warringa, G., 2005. Policy Review on Decoupling: Development of indicators to assess decoupling of economic development and environmental pressure in the EU-25 and AC-3 countries. EU Commission, DG Environment, Brussels.
WHO., 2013. Health effects of particulate matter.
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789287730202 (accessed 27 May 2025).
Widiyanto, A., Kato, S. & Maruyama, N., 2002. A LCA/LCC optimized selection of power plant system with additional facilities options. Journal of Energy Resources Technology, 124(4), 290–299.

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics