A recycling activity is a Treatment activity with a By-product output that can displace Determining products from other activities. This distinguishes recycling activities from other treatment activities by the valuable nature of their outputs and their potential to substitute for virgin or primary products.
Treatment activities are a specific category of transforming activities where the reference product carries a negative sign, indicating that the activity provides a service of treating or disposing of materials. Whilst many treatment activities simply dispose of materials or transform them into other materials that still require further treatment, a recycling activity generates outputs that can enter back into the production system.
The defining characteristic of recycling activities is the displacement potential of their by-product outputs. These by-products can substitute for Determining products that would otherwise need to be produced through separate, often virgin material production activities. This displacement matters in Life Cycle Assessment modelling, as it is a system-level benefit that avoids the environmental burdens associated with primary production.
For example, a recycling activity that processes waste aluminium to produce recycled aluminium can displace the need for primary aluminium production from bauxite ore. Similarly, recycling activities for plastics, paper, glass, or other materials produce by-products that can substitute for virgin materials in manufacturing processes.
As Chief Operating Officer, Iris leads our organisational development and oversees day-to-day operations. Before joining 2-0, she worked in the biotechnology sector. As an LCA consultant, Iris has devoted her expertise primarily to the domains of sustainable agriculture and food production. She is dedicated to teaching LCA and is responsible for our educational efforts. Iris holds an M.Sc. in Biology – Biotechnology from the University of Copenhagen.
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Glossary terms are clearer once you have seen them applied. Our guide to what LCA is and how it works walks through the complete methodology: goal and scope, inventory modelling, impact assessment, and interpretation.
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