McKay, Thomas2020-09-292019-032020-09-182019McKay, Thomas. 2019. Recycling Flexible Polyurethane Foam via Chemical Recovery Versus Incineration for Energy: A Comparison of Environmental and Economic Impacts. Master's thesis, Harvard Extension School.https://nrs.harvard.edu/URN-3:HUL.INSTREPOS:37365372A comparative life cycle analysis and economic analysis for recycling options for flexible polyurethane foam was developed. A novel glycolysis process, utilizing crude glycerol (a by product of biodiesel production) as a glycolysis agent was compared to incineration in an MSW WtE facility. The glycolysis process recovered valuable chemicals which can be used to manufacture polyurethane foams again while the incineration process generated electricity and steam. The glycolysis process performed well in the LCIA and economic analysis.application/pdfLife cycle assessmentglycolysiswaste to energyincinerationpolyurethaneflexible foamThesis or Dissertation2020-09-29