Life cycle assessment of paperboard packaging produced in medium-sized factories in Thailand | |
| Author | Life cycle assessment of paperboard packaging produced in medium-sized factories in Thailand |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-01-2 |
| Subject(s) | Paperboard industry--Thailand Product life cycle--Environmental aspects |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The purpose of this study is assessing the environmental aspects and environmental impact potentials coming from throughout the life cycle of paperboard packaging product in Thailand and implementation of oppo1tunities to reduce environmental aspects and environmental impact potentials by using life cycle assessment technique. The studied object is the paperboard packaging box produced from the combination of virgin Kraft pulp and old corrugated container coming from recycling as raw materials. The first step was to identify and quantify data of each unit processes throughout the life cycle of corrugated container about raw material, energy, and resources used also product, co-product, solid waste generation, and emissions to air, water, and soil. Data of paperboard production was collected in one factory in Thailand. Other data such as tree growing and cutting, Kraft pulp production, box production, transportation, electricity generation, recycling, and landfilling condition was derived from literature, and SimaPro database. After entered all inventories in SimaPro, the result showed the level of contribution of each processes to environmental aspects and environmental impact potentials i.e. global warming, acidification, eutrophication, photochemical ozone formation, energy use, and solid waste generation. The modifications are evaluated for implementation of opportunities to reduce environmental impacts. It was analysed that landfilling of corrugated container highly contributes to global warming potential, acidification potential, and photochemical ozone formation due to its air emissions such as CH4, C02, and NH3. It is recommended to implement a system for collecting and treatment of air emissions during landfilling. Drying processes were identified as the major contribution to energy use due to a high amount of steam use. It is recommended to implement solar energy support in the steam production in the near future. An additional of motor replacement option is also recommended to archive more energy reduction. The higher technology motors can save the electricity about 30% and it is practical improvement in the factory. Moreover, it is recommended to implement reuse, recycle, re-design of paperboard packaging product in order to reduce solid waste generation. |
| Year | 2001 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Nielsen, Per H. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Nazhad, Mousa M.;Oanh, N. T. Kim; Visvanathan. C.;Hwan, Lee Seung |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2001 |