Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)
Recycled vs. Virgin Materials: How They Impact Product Carbon Footprints
This blog explains how choosing recycled or virgin materials changes a product carbon footprint (PCF), using published data for aluminium, steel and plastics. It covers why reported numbers differ so much, including allocation methods, system boundaries and data sources, and when recycled content does not automatically lower emissions. It also gives a six-step process for comparing recycled and virgin inputs in a PCF and lists common mistakes to avoid. Sustainability, procurement and product teams can use it to keep their calculations transparent, traceable and easy to review.
