Life cycle comparative assessment of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) waste management scenarios in Sri Lanka | |
| Author | Paranagamage, Lakshitha Chathuranga |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.MPA-21-54 |
| Subject(s) | Polyethylene terephthalate Plastic scrap--Environmental aspects--Sri Lanka Polyethylene |
| 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 | Effective plastic waste management has been a daunting issue in the waste management sector of Sri Lanka. Open dumping, Waste to Energy (WtE), and making Polyester yarn from bottles are the main sustainable waste management solutions adopted in Sri Lanka for Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) waste. Open dumping, closed-loop material recycling, waste to energy, and open loop recycling are the main waste management practices for High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) waste. This study focused on assessing the environmental impacts of six scenarios under PET waste and four under HDPE waste in Negombo city, Sri Lanka. Four scenarios under PET bottles were considered in this study are (i) 100% open dumping; (ii) 100% bottle to bottle recycling; (iii) 100% recycling while Polyester fiber as the end product; (iv) 100% incineration and. The considered three scenarios consider under HDPE waste were (i) 100% open dumping; (ii) Closed-loop recycling and (iii) Waste to Energy. Life cycle assessment methodology was implemented to access the impacts for each scenario and compare their environmental impacts. The inventory data was collected from direct interviews and secondary data. The SimaPro 9.2.0.2 was used to assess the impacts. The data were related to 1 ton of PET waste and HDPE waste. ReCiPe 2016 v1.1 midpoint, the Individualist perspective was used as the impact methodology in this study. All impacts were studied under 18 different impact categories in this research All impact categories in the PET waste scenarios, have a net reduction except the global warming category. After considering all the impact categories equally, the results have shown that PET to Polyester scenario has the lowest environmental impact among all the scenarios. When considering HDPE scenarios, HDPE to closed-loop recycling and HDPE waste to energy scenarios have net reduction while HDPE to Landfill scenario has a net increase. After considering all the impact categories equally, the results have shown that HDPE to close loop recycling has the lowest environmental impact among all the scenarios. |
| 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) | Thammarat Koottatep |
| Examination Committee(s) | Tatchai Pussayanavin; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Japan |
| Degree | Research studies project report (M.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2021 |