Plastic consumption behavior and brand auditing in AIT | |
| Author | Nitrady Lertsanthia |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis No. EV-21-11 |
| Subject(s) | Solid waste management--Environmental aspects--Thailand Plastics--Environmental aspects |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Plastic use has rapidly increased in modern urbanized and industrialized societies. Plastic has been used to replace the other materials in packaging, electronic and electrical products, housewares, and many other applications. Consequently, Plastic pollution has become a significant global issue on the environment and human health. This study evaluated the composition of wastes and identified the composition of plastic wastes generated in AIT, including academic, residential and commercial areas, and 10 studied households from Bangkok, Pathum Thani and AIT. Brand auditing was used as the tool for the revelation of top plastic polluter in AIT. In addition, survey questionnaire, stakeholders’ interview, visual inspection and relevant documentation were used to identify the current status of plastic activities in AIT and find the gap of AIT plastic waste management. This study reveals that AIT waste generation rate is 1.14 tons per day or 0.9 kg/capita/day. The major composition of solid waste generated in 3 different areas in AIT and 10 studied households are food waste, which accounting for 55% and 74% respectively. Furthermore, plastic wastes generated in AIT and 10 studied households account for 17% and 13% respectively, which more than 90% of plastic waste proportion by layer is single-layer plastic and approximately 80% by form is rigid form plastic. Of the AIT plastic waste composition based on SPI codes, the major 29% plastic proportion by wet weight is PET (most found as water bottles and cups), whereas the major 34% proportion by count number is HDPE (most found as packaging and bags). On the other hand, the major composition of plastic waste generated in the 10 households based on SPI codes is PP (most found as food packaging), accounting for 27% by wet weight, whereas LDPE is the major proportion by count number, the same as in AIT, which accounted for 38%. Among plastic waste generated in AIT, approximately 32% of plastic waste is branded products. Top plastic polluter in AIT is Thai brand, which is CP (up to 40%), followed by Hom-Krun coffee (8%) and UFM (6%). The findings of the study include the current situation of AIT plastic waste, waste management in AIT, and the proposed vision and goals based on the circular economy concept, including recommendations, for sustainable plastic management achievement in AIT through increasing the plastic waste recycling efficiency. |
| Year | 2021 |
| 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) | Visvanathan, Chettiyappan |
| Examination Committee(s) | Sasaki, Nophea;Ekbordin Winijkul |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Royal Thai Government Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2021 |