Abstract
As producers strive to reduce their declared carbon foot-prints, the use of post-consumer scrap (PCS) has emerged as both a solution and a challenge due to its limited availability. The use of PCS is also a point of method-ological debate, as life cycle assessment (LCA) methods for evaluating its use vary widely, and expert consensus remains divided. Unlike the beverage can, which has a short lifetime, high-voltage cables are long-lifetime prod-ucts with standardised product category rules (e.g., EN 50693). Using cut-off and net-scrap LCA approaches, this study quantifies how LCA methodological choices can alter the climate impact claims across varying PCS inputs and end-of-life recyclability assumptions for high-voltage aluminium cables. Based on the results, the net-scrap approach provides a more robust assessment of the product’s footprint, as it encompasses both the recycled content and end-of-life recyclability of the product. This reflects industrial reality better, increases transparency, and boosts confidence in environmental declarations.