Key methodological issues for life cycle inventory analysis of paper recycling

Life cycle assessments carried out to assess paper recycling have arrived at different conclusions, partly due to methodological differences in the inventory analysis. Important methodological issues include the definition of system boundaries, allocation, assumptions and choice of data. Forestry, electricity production, recycling and final waste management are important parts of the wood-fibre life cycle. This overview demonstrates the significance of different methodological problems, presents various solutions and offers recommendations. The starting point in an efficient and accurate assessment is the decision at hand, rather than the life cycle of the product investigated. To obtain the environmentally optimal wood-fibre system, recycling should ideally be assessed in connection with other waste management, forestry and energy policies.