Criteria

This criterion considers the effectiveness of a technology to process each polymer type. This depends on the type of polymer that can be processed by the technology as well as the amount of plastic waste (expressed in tonnes/year) generated per polymer type in each SIDS. 

This criterion assesses the fit of the process/technology taking into consideration the amount and type of plastic waste available in the island. In another words, this criterion looks at the minimum and maximum amount of plastic waste that the process/technology can process and provides a score based on the “versatility” of the technology considering the volumes of plastic waste available in the island.

This criterion assesses the capacity of the process/technology of co-processing waste mixtures, for instance polymers in conjunction with bio-mass. This synergistic effect can lead to a higher quantity and better quality of outputs, securing the regular process/technology operation even during limited supply of certain feedstock.

This criterion considers the total expenses incurred for acquiring the process/technology and is expressed in US$. CAPEX is defined as the money an organization or corporate entity spends to buy, maintain, or improve its fixed assets, such as buildings, vehicles, equipment, or land. It is considered a capital expenditure when the asset is newly purchased or when money is used towards extending the useful life of an existing asset 

This criterion considers the total technology operating expenses, including expenses necessary to maintain, repair, operate and administer the technology and it is measured in USD/year). Therefore, OPEX is an ongoing cost for running a product, business, or system

The idle time criterion considers the time required to perform preventive maintenance of the process/technology. In this analysis, idle time refers to any time when a process/technology is unavailable to run due to equipment failure or preventive maintenance. Therefore, idle time represent lost productivity and is expressed in days/year.

This criterion defines what type of operation the process/technology requires. This can be either single or multi-step. Single-step operation technologies require a lower initial investment, whereas multi-step technologies, have higher costs (both CAPEX and OPEX). Higher costs are related to the need of a second (or more) process step(s) for the technology to operate and hence, to produce outputs. This also influences the environmental criterion, in that multi-step technologies emit more GHG emissions during their operation. However, to avoid double counting, the score of this criterion will be considered and calculated only within the criteria category “Cost”. 

This criterion indicates the impact on climate change of treating one tonne of plastic waste using the processes/technologies. It is expressed in tonne CO2 equivalents (eq.) per tonne of waste input. The carbon footprints consist of two parts: 1) Emissions and energy inputs: the carbon footprint of the direct process emissions and emissions linked to production and supply of the energy/material inputs of the process. 2) Avoided products/energy carriers: this includes the carbon footprint of conventional production processes of the useful outputs produced by the waste treatment technologies. For example, incineration with energy recovery generates electricity. This means that less electricity needs to be generated in conventional power plants, so these avoided emissions are credited to the waste treatment process (incineration with energy recovery in this example).

Rate between the net income coming from the outputs of the process/technology and the investment made for its development. ROI is expressed in percentage (%)

This criterion indicates the decrease in reliance on fuel imports thanks to the energy source outputs (fuel, energy, heat, etc.) produced by the process/technology. The process/technology outputs can be used as source of energy, hence, decrease the national demand of imported fuel. This is also important for improving the national energy security and provide services when needed in the time of crisis or in the face of volatile market prices.This criterion considers the energy savings (in MJ/kg) provided by the energy produced by the process/technology outputs as well as the energy savings related to reduction in fuel transport (imports).

Space required by the process/technology and logistical space needed expressed in m2. 

This criterion considers both the direct and indirect jobs created by the development of the process technology. Direct job refers to the workers employed for operating the process/technology, whereas indirect job, refers to the output of additional activities made possible by the process/technology, but not as a direct output of the process/technology itself. This has an effect on job creation and business growth in the local economy as a result of demand created by the development of the process/technology and its direct employees.

Therefore, it expresses the potential for the process/technology to create additional direct and indirect jobs

This criterion assesses whether the process/technology is already commercially available, or will be market-ready within one or two years.