Plastic Recycling emISsions and Economics (PRisE) Model

The material recovery facility (MRF) currently lacks the capability to sort flexible plastic packaging (FPP). Consequently, a small portion of FPP is mistakenly included in a single stream that is transported to the MRF. Any received FPP is then mixed with other waste and either sent to the landfill or ends up in a different product stream as an impurity. This model assumes that the MRF has the ability to sort all recyclables, including the sorted FPP known as rFlex bale. These bales are initially transported to the Reclaimer's facility to improve the purity of the rFlex product. At this stage, the product can be transformed into dry washed or wet washed pellets. Wet washed pellets are used for applications that require a higher purity plastic, such as film. The pellets are then transported to a production facility to be transformed into a final product, such as pallets or film.

To provide researchers and adopters with more comprehensive information, a system dynamics (SD) model was developed. This model generates simulation data on the economics and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of potential rFlex products. Additionally, the model aims to gain a better understanding of potential scenarios and policy measures that could be implemented to improve the economic and greenhouse gas emission outcomes of the rFlex system.

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