Paper vs. Polystyrene

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Paper vs. Polystyrene

• Laura Smith, Ryan Snip, Chris Spikes
• Oct. 25, 1999

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Purpose

• To determine which product is the most
  environmentally responsible.

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Approach

• Use Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
• Use data from in class experiment
• Use data from other conducted studies

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Life Cycle Assessment

• Raw Materials Acquisition
• Material Manufacture
• Product Fabrication, Packaging and Transportation
  (PPT)
• Disposal

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Raw Material Acquisition

• PAPER
• Harvesting and Cutting
• Yarding
• Loading and Hauling

• POLYSTYRENE
• Crude Oil Production
• Natural Gas Production
• Transportation

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Raw Material Comparison
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Material Manufacture

• PAPER
• Pulping
• Mechanical Process
• Chemical Process

• POLYSTYRENE
• Natural Gas Processing
• Ethylene, Benzene, Styrene Production
• Polystyrene Resin
• Blowing Agent Production

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Fabrication, Packaging, and Transportation

• PAPER
• Fabrication
• Packaging and Transportation

• POLYSTYRENE
• Fabrication
• Packaging, and Transportation

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Manufacturing Comparison
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Disposal

• PAPER
• Landfilling
• Incineration
• Recycling
• Composting
• Air Pollutants

• POLYSTYRENE
• Landfilling
• Incineration
• Recycling
• Air Pollutants

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Disposal Report Card
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Paper or Polystyrene?