📖 ABSTRACT/OVERVIEW
The rapid accumulation of polyethylene terephthalate plastic waste in Lagos State's municipal solid waste stream presents an urgent environmental management challenge that requires comparative evaluation of management options using quantitative life cycle assessment methodology to inform evidence-based policy decisions. This study conducts a comparative life cycle assessment of three polyethylene terephthalate waste management scenarios for Lagos State, South West Nigeria: open dumping (the current baseline), mechanical recycling to produce recycled resin and fibres, and energy recovery through refuse-derived fuel production. The functional unit is defined as the management of one tonne of post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate waste. Life cycle inventory data are compiled from primary measurements at a Lagos waste recycling facility and landfill site, supplemented by published Nigerian and African waste management life cycle inventory literature. The analysis covers eight environmental impact categories: global warming potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, human toxicity potential, freshwater ecotoxicity, photochemical ozone creation potential, resource depletion, and cumulative energy demand. The SimaPro software platform with EcoInvent database is used for impact assessment using the CML 2002 midpoint characterisation methodology. Scenario comparison reveals environmental trade-offs between greenhouse gas emission reduction, energy recovery credits, and chemical recycling efficiency. Sensitivity analysis evaluates the robustness of conclusions to variations in collection efficiency and transportation distances. Findings provide the Lagos State Waste Management Authority with a quantitative environmental performance profile for polyethylene terephthalate management policy decisions. Keywords: life cycle assessment, polyethylene terephthalate, plastic waste, Lagos, mechanical recycling
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