Measuring Circular Impact: Using LCA to Validate the Environmental Performance of the Circular Vision Packaging Recovery System in Colombia

The transition toward a circular economy is essential for reducing the environmental impacts of post-consumer packaging waste. In Colombia, the Circular Vision Collective operates a nationwide Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system for packaging recovery and recycling. This study applies a life cycle assessment (LCA), in accordance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards, to evaluate the environmental performance of the Circular Vision system during 2024. Using a functional unit of one metric ton of post-consumer packaging, three scenarios were assessed: landfill disposal, circular management and transformation, and avoided impacts from virgin material substitution. Seven packaging material streams were analyzed using SimaPro 9.6 and the Ecoinvent 3.10 database, supported by primary operational data. The results show that the circular management system delivers net environmental benefits across all evaluated impact categories, achieving reductions exceeding 10% in key indicators, such as global warming potential, energy demand, and resource use, particularly for plastics, metals, and paper-based materials.