Life cycle analysis of LDPE drinking water packaging in nigeria with comparative analysis of bio-based biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (pha) as alternative | |
| Author | Enyekwe, Adaobi Anita |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.MPA-21-40 |
| Subject(s) | Poly-beta-hydroxyalkanoates Biodegradable plastics Plastics in packaging |
| Note | A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Marine Plastics Abatement |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Drinking water sachets are portable single use plastic bags made of LDPE plastic stretch film and is used in packaging drinking water that makes it accessible for an average Nigerian. These plastic sachets became popular because of their versatility, affordability and durability and this makes plastic bags difficult to ban by the Nigerian Government because there would be no source of Nigerians getting water. These sachet bags have now become a major source of environmental degradation because of the difficulty in proper waste management collection. The marine and coastal environment in Lagos State, Nigeria is faced with the massive problem of plastic waste from these sachets because they are indiscriminately disposed and the sachets runs off into the marine ecosystems. This also causes blocked drainages and flooding displacing thousands of residents and also causes diseases. The use of environmentally biodegradable bioplastic alternatives is highly recommended to be used instead of the LDPE plastic film. A compiled life cycle data on the manufacture to disposal of LDPE plastic bags and biobased biodegradable alternative plastic PHA bags was used as inventory to carry out a life cycle analysis. Primary data collection was carried out using expert interviews, surveys and questionnaires and secondary data was obtained from document review of data sources such as sustainability reports, published documents and journals etc. SimaPro software was used for the LCA to calculate the life cycle and carry out a comparative analysis of the LDPE plastic bag and the bioplastic PHA bag as the functional unit. ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint impact assessment method was used. The life cycle assessment factored in every step of the extraction manufacturing, distribution, and disposal stages of these grocery bags. A cradle to grave system boundary. Results showed that the bioplastic PHA sachets has less environmental impact across the 18 impact categories of characterization. It used more water and land due to agricultural inputs and tillage. In the resource extraction, manufacture, use and disposal of each plastic sachet type, bioplastics PHA was the better plastic and should be encouraged to be used to package water instead of LDPE. It used less energy and water for production and had less emissions. It will be the better alternative to the use of sachets to package water since Nigerians find sachet water very accessible for use. A major recommendation is effective public participation in policy-making and for the provision of incentives, by the Nigerian government, for plastic bag manufacturers and sachet water manufacturers to introduce and promote the use of bio plastic PHA alternatives to LDPE plastic bags for their product manufacture. |
| Year | 2021 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| 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 | Marine Plastic Abatement (MPA) |
| Chairperson(s) | Xue, Wenchao |
| Examination Committee(s) | Tatchai Pussayanavin; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Japan |
| Degree | Research studies project report (M.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2021 |