Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of stationary containers for MSW separate collection

Containers for the collection of municipal solid waste (MSW) play a critical role in the circular economy but are often overlooked in sustainability assessments. This study presents a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of two types of 3200-liter stationary containers for separate waste collection: high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and steel. Using the ReCiPe 2016 (H) and IPCC 2021 GWP100 methods, the analysis highlights significantly lower environmental impacts for HDPE containers, especially in terms of human health damage. The obtained results emphasize the importance of recycled materials in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. Increasing the percentage of recycled HDPE further decreases the environmental footprint, reinforcing the benefits of circular economy practices. The study aims to guide stakeholders and policymakers in making informed decisions about sustainable materials and design strategies in waste management systems.