Plastic Lifecycle Assessment Calculator for the Environment and Society
The Plastic Lifecycle Assessment Calculator for the Environment and Society (PLACES) is the first open-access tool of its kind offering users the ability to assess the climate impact of current waste management practices — from open burning to recycling — in South and Southeast Asia (SSEA) and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).
The open-access calculator tracks greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions, as well as energy and water savings from waste management and recycling solutions that prevent plastic pollution in ten countries across SSEA and LAC.
At every stage of its lifecycle, plastic contributes to GHG emissions, making climate change and plastic pollution interconnected environmental stressors. While improved plastic waste management and recycling can mitigate the impact of climate change, decision-makers lack the tools and accessible information needed to assess investment opportunities in this space.
PLACES is The Circulate Initiative’s response to this demand for accurate, market-specific data to inform decisions on climate-related investments and solutions to the plastic problem.
Generate Climate-Related Measurements of Recycling Plastic Waste
GHG emissions
Measures the GHG emissions avoided by diverting plastic waste from the environment.
Energy consumption
Measures the use of different renewable and non-renewable energy sources, including fossil fuels and biomass.
Water consumption
Measures the amount of water that evaporates, is disposed of in water bodies, or is incorporated into products.
Geographical Coverage
INDIA
INDONESIA
MALAYSIA
PHILIPPINES
THAILAND
VIET NAM
Key Benefits
Retrieve data on the environmental impact of mechanical recycling interventions as a pathway to low-carbon economies.
Generate custom queries and calculate carbon savings based on plastic type, tonnes of plastic waste, and end-of-life (EOL) fates.
Assess the environmental impact of diverting plastic waste from different EOL fates.
Compare the environmental impact of diverting plastic waste across multiple countries in SSEA and LAC.
Who this Tool is for
Investors
ESG-focused investors can use the calculator to evaluate supply chain interventions to mitigate climate risks and strengthen the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Entrepreneurs
Recyclers and service providers can use the calculator to estimate their contribution to greenhouse gas, energy, and water savings.
City Planners
Waste management and urban resilience planning teams can quantify and compare the impacts of recycling interventions and strategic scenarios.
Corporates
Corporates can use the calculator as a management tool to understand the environmental impact and prioritize recycling as a plastic waste management strategy.
Offline Calculator
An offline version of the PLACES calculator is available on request once the necessary licenses are purchased.
Please email places@thecirculateinitiative.org if you are interested.
Ecoinvent is the source for and owner of limited LCIA scores.
Resources
Insights Report
Insights and analysis of GHG reductions from investing in proper plastic waste management and recycling based on PLACES for SSEA.
Summary Report on LCA Study
Explore the methodology, assumptions and key findings from the Life Cycle Assessment study on which PLACES is based on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions on PLACES and the Life Cycle Assessment study.
Sources
List of sources and references consulted for the Life Cycle Assessment study for the ten countries.
Explore the Tool
Use the tool to assess the environmental impact of diverting plastic waste toward recycling.