The feasibility of asthma inhaler recycling in South Africa | |
| Author | Ubsdell, Stephanie Leigh |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.MPA-21-62 |
| Subject(s) | Plastic scrap--Environmental aspects--South Africa Plastic scrap--Recycling--South Africa Plastics--Health aspects |
| 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 | Globally, healthcare plastics constitute a large portion of the plastics that are not recycled. Plastic is utilized for a wide variety of purposes in the healthcare industry as they can be molded into a vast array of different shapes, they are lightweight, durable, easy to disinfect and sterilize, and economical. Despite not being considered hazardous medical waste, asthma inhalers are generally not recycled due to the stigma surrounding the infection risk from healthcare plastics; yet they are made mostly from recyclable materials, namely polypropylene (PP). More than 330 million people suffer from asthma worldwide, with approximately 3.9 million of those in South Africa. This study aimed to assess the feasibility asthma inhaler recycling in South Africa from a technical and economic perspective. First, a short market survey was conducted to estimate the average number of inhalers used by people with asthma in South Africa, as well as how consumers dispose of their inhalers and willingness to dispose of their inhalers in a differently. Thereafter, inhaler producers were contacted to try and ascertain the market size and number of inhalers produced for the South African market per annum. Further, recycling companies were contacted to determine the market price of recycled PP. Economic assessment was determined using a Cost-benefit analysis. It was found that between August 2020 and August 2021, more than 6.3 million inhalers were disposed of in South Africa Alone. Due to this high volume and the already existing PP mechanical recycling infrastructure in the country, it was determined that the recycling of asthma inhalers was technically feasible. Consumer willingness plays a large role in the success of recycling schemes, and results showed that consumer willingness for asthma inhaler recycling is high in South Africa. All components of the basic cost-benefit analysis indicated that asthma inhaler recycling in South Africa would result in a net loss. However, some benefits that are difficult to quantify in monetary terms, such as the impact to tourism, were excluded from the analysis. These benefits, if quantified, may reduce the amount of economic loss or even provide a profit for such a project. As of 2021, there are new extended producer responsibility (EPR) requirements that have been mandated to be in place by the first quarter or 2022. Therefore, even though inhaler recycling in South Africa may not result in any financial benefits, it conforms to and may form a beneficial component of the new regulations regarding EPR in the country. |
| 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) | Ekbordin Winijkul |
| Examination Committee(s) | Xue, Wenchao;Atitaya Panuvatvanich |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Japan |
| Degree | Research studies project report (M.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2021 |