The influence that the materials used to manufacture a product have on its environmental impact is manifested in the energy costs and emissions associated with the production processes of the material, and in the intrinsic properties of the material and working processes which constrain its level of recyclability.

Regarding the first aspect, various methodologies have been developed which, based on the principles of Life Cycle Assessment, seek to quantify the environmental properties of materials and processes (EPS, Ecopoints, Eco-indicator).
Regarding the quantification of a material’s recyclability, understood as its suitability to undergo recycling processes, two key factors should be highlighted: economic cost and technological limitations.

Complete environmental characterization of a material should, therefore, consist of defining the environmental impact linked to its production (energy costs, emissions), processing and disposal, and of evaluating the margins of recyclability, in terms of decline in performance of the recycled material and recovery costs.