ANALYSIS OF LIFE CYCLE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM PLASTIC BAGS USED IN FOOD PURCHASES IN THE FEDERAL DISTRICT
Life Cycle Assessment, Plastic Bags, Greenhouse gases, Pro-environmental behavior
Considering the increase in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and the climatic consequences that bring the average global temperature closer to the limit agreed by the Paris Agreement for the year 2030, research on individuals' consumption patterns becomes relevant. A representative portion of emissions associated with domestic consumption by Brazilians is linked to the food category, and food consumption is closely related to the use of plastics as packaging for these items. Considering the consumer`s choice to use plastic bags for food packaging, this study aims to evaluate the effect of adopting behaviors on using single-use and returnable plastic bags in terms of GHG emissions, considering the reality of the Federal District (DF), Brazil. The estimate of GHG emissions was conducted through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) using data from the Ecoinvent 3.6 Cutoff base and operational data from the DF solid waste management authority. In parallel, behavior profiles were drawn on the consumption of single-use and reusable plastic bags by the population of the Federal District (DF), according to 391 responses obtained by a questionnaire based on the General Ecological Behavior (CEG) scale proposed by Kaiser and Wilson (2004). The results indicate that the population prefers to use only reusable bags (41%). In comparison, 15% of respondents were classified as strict users of single-use bags, associated with annual GHG emissions in the order of 0.38 kg CO2-eq and 0.49 kg CO2-eq, respectively. Emissions linked to the consumption of plastic bags are represented mainly in the production stage, with post-consumption solid waste management accounting for 7.3% (single use) and 1.8% (reusable) of total emissions per plastic bag analyzed. The consideration of other packaging alternatives, as well as the motivations of individuals for their choices, may complement the analysis in future investigations on the subject.