Republic Services, a leader in the environmental services industry, committed to advancing a circular economy, partnered with Sphera to conduct a cradle-to-gate product carbon footprint (PCF) study. The analysis focused on Republic Services’ recycled plastic product produced from materials collected from U.S. homes and businesses for use in sustainable packaging.

Many consumer packaged goods companies aim to increase their use of recycled content in packaging. Republic Services sought to support these goals while also helping CPGs to decarbonize their supply chains, substantiated by a critically reviewed, ISO-compliant study.

Sphera Consultants evaluated the greenhouse gas emissions associated with producing mechanically recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) flake at Republic Services’ Polymer Center in Las Vegas. The study results show the carbon footprint of Republic’s rPET flake is, on average, 54% lower than the representative rPET flake alternatives evaluated, and 82% lower than the virgin PET alternatives.

This assessment provides critical, verifiable data substantiating Republic Services’ rPET product helps customers meet their need for high-quality recycled materials while helping to decarbonize their supply chains.

Highlights

Competitive advantage identified by verifying lower carbon impact

Successful critical review, conformant to ISO standards

Sphera’s MLC database provided verified industry benchmarks

Enhanced engagement from sustainability-focused customers

Proof of concept for investments in sustainability innovation

Challenges

1. Data collection for a first LCA study to verify carbon footprint reductions for rPET flake

2. Faced increasing demand for high-quality, food-grade recycled content from brands and regulators

3. Sought to enable bottle-to-bottle circularity rather than downcycling

4. Proof points for its new rPET product’s environmental impact, relative to the market

Solution

Sphera’s sustainability and LCA consulting team conducted a rigorous, cradle-to-gate product carbon footprint (PCF) study for Republic Services’ Las Vegas Polymer Center. Utilizing advanced life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies and verifiable data, Sphera quantified the environmental impacts of the facility’s operations by measuring each stage—from post-consumer collection to rPET flake production. Sphera’s LCA database and LCA For Experts software offered industry benchmarks used in the analysis. The product carbon footprint study proved that Republic Services’ energy-efficient process achieves significant carbon reductions while delivering high-quality, food-grade rPET suitable for true bottle-to-bottle circularity.

Sphera validated the results of the study as per ISO conformance and guided Republic Services through the critical review process.

Results

The product carbon footprint study confirmed Republic Services’ Las Vegas Polymer Center rPET flake delivers, on average, 54% lower cradle-to-gate carbon footprint than comparable rPET, and 82% lower than virgin PET, and is bottle-grade, unlike representative rPET.

The insights empowered Republic Services to credibly substantiate its sustainability claims with robust LCA data, providing customers with trusted data to support decarbonization, Scope 3 emissions reductions, supply chain transparency and real progress toward a circular economy.

“Working with Sphera helped us develop a model that shows the real environmental benefits of our investments in material circularity. The Product Carbon Footprint study gives customers confidence that Republic Services’ rPET not only supports recycled content goals, but also delivers a lower-carbon solution for consumer packaging. This process has strengthened our ability to innovate in the circular economy while helping customers decarbonize.”

— Tony Fritz, Sustainability Director, Republic Services

What made this happen?

Sphera’s 30+ years of expertise in LCA consulting, combined with its engagement with leading chemical companies and industry associations, provided the foundation for this successful partnership. The blend of experience, advanced LCA software and industry-leading LCA data, enabled Republic Services to validate the environmental impact of its recycled products, confirm its commitment to circularity, and communicate this as a unique selling point to its customers.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) and product carbon footprint (LCA) consulting services

Prove the environmental claims of your products with LCA and PCF calculations supported by the world’s leading LCA experts. Sphera’s LCA consultants can carry out life cycle assessment or carbon footprint studies for your products or enable your company to perform LCAs and PCFs on its own. Learn more.

Managed Content

Our Managed LCA Content database offers over 20,000 process datasets that include 1,000 models. With access to datasets from over 60 industry associations that are modeled with Sphera’s Managed LCA Content, you gain a stronger foundation for your life cycle decisions. Learn more.

LCA for Experts Software

Assess the environmental impacts of products, processes and services throughout their entire life cycle with LCA software built on the world’s most robust LCA database. Learn more.

About Republic Services

Founded in 1998

$16B revenue

42K employees

13M customers

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