| Author | Panruthai Chaiyasit. |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-11-09 |
| Subject(s) | Plastic scrap--Thailand--Bangkok
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| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering and Management. |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. EV-11-09 |
| Abstract | According to increasing public anxiety on environment, recycling is become interesting waste disposal. A plastic waste recycling is attractive way for environment. However, the recycling processes cause impacts on to the environment from energy consumption and natural resources consumption. The environmental impacts were studies by application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Using eco-indicator 99 method through LCA software in order to quantify significant sources of the environmental impacts, assess the environmental impact potentials and specify mitigation measures for thermoplastic wastes (High Density Poly Ethylene: HOPE) recycling. Aon Nuch HOPE bags recycling plant and Nong Suea HOPE containers recycling plant were the representative recycling plant in Bangkok city area for this study. Data inventory was obtained by interviewing the owners of both recycling plants. Materials, resources and processing energy data were collected as inputs. In addition, product, emission to soil, emission to water and emission to air data was collected as outputs from recycling process. Moreover, transportation of raw materials and recycled products were taken into account in order to estimate total environmental impacts from HOPE recycling. Application of LCA method through HOPE bags and containers recycling revealed that Fossil fuel, Respiratory inorganics, Climate change and Acidification/Eutrophication impacts were the main impacts from both HOPE recycling. These impacts can be interpreted to main damages on environment which are Human Health and Resources. The significant processes contributed impacts were Processing Energy and Transportation. However, Processing Energy was the main part in Aon Nuch HOPE bags recycling but in Nong Suea HOPE containers recycling, Transportation was the main part. The application of CML 2 baseline 2000 method was conducted to assess difference environmental impact point of views between difference assessing methods; Eco-indicator 99 method and CML 2 baseline 2000 method. Sensitivity analysis was done in order to reveal the worse impacts from assessment perspectives. The energy consumption was the significant activity from HOPE recycling affected to the environment. Hence, the application of energy from liquefaction of PE wastes in recycling industry was the proper disposal management for Thailand because crude oil products from PE wastes can substitute the energy requirement in production process which came from fossil fuel in nature. Moreover, diesel from liquefaction of PE wastes can be used as fuel in transportation. Recycling of plastic wastes is also the environmental friendly way for plastic wastes management but integrated plastic wastes disposal management studies were required in order to reduce the impacts from recycling as much as possible. |
| Year | 2011 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. EV-11-09 |
| 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 (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Thammarat Koottatep.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Preeda Parkpian; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Royal Thai Government Fellowship.; |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2011 |