Foamy polystyrene trays for fresh-meat packaging: Life-cycle inventory data collection and environmental impact assessment
- Ingrao, Carlo, Lo Giudice, Agata, Bacenetti, Jacopo, Khaneghah, Amin Mousavi, De Souza Sant Ana, Anderson, Rana, Roberto, Siracusa, Valentina
- Authors: Ingrao, Carlo , Lo Giudice, Agata , Bacenetti, Jacopo , Khaneghah, Amin Mousavi , De Souza Sant Ana, Anderson , Rana, Roberto , Siracusa, Valentina
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Packaging system , Life Cycle Assessment , Environmental hotspots
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/93425 , uj:20346 , Citation: Ingrao, C. et al. 2016. Foamy polystyrene trays for fresh-meat packaging: Life-cycle inventory data collection and environmental impact assessment.
- Description: Abstract: ood packaging systems are designed to perform series of functions mainly aimed at containing and protecting foods during their shelf-lives. However, to perform those functions a package causes environmental impacts that affect food supply chains and that come from its life-cycle phases. Therefore, package design should be done based upon not only the issues of cost, food shelf-life and safety, as well as practicality, but also of environ- mental sustainability. For this purpose, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can be applied in the packaging fi eld with the aim of highlighting environmental hotspots and improvement potentials, thus enabling more eco-friendly prod- ucts. In this context, an LCA of foamy polystyrene (PS) trays used for fresh meat packaging was performed here. The study highlighted that the highest environmental impacts come from PS-granule production and electricity consumption. In this regard, the authors underscored that there are no margins for improvement in the produc- tion of the granules and in the transport of the material inputs involved as well as of the trays to users. On the contrary, changing the energy source into a renewable one (by installing, for instance, a wind power plant) would enable a 14% damage reduction. In this way, the authors documented that alternative ways can be found for global environmental improvement of the system analysed and so for enhanced environmental sustainability of food packaging systems.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ingrao, Carlo , Lo Giudice, Agata , Bacenetti, Jacopo , Khaneghah, Amin Mousavi , De Souza Sant Ana, Anderson , Rana, Roberto , Siracusa, Valentina
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Packaging system , Life Cycle Assessment , Environmental hotspots
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/93425 , uj:20346 , Citation: Ingrao, C. et al. 2016. Foamy polystyrene trays for fresh-meat packaging: Life-cycle inventory data collection and environmental impact assessment.
- Description: Abstract: ood packaging systems are designed to perform series of functions mainly aimed at containing and protecting foods during their shelf-lives. However, to perform those functions a package causes environmental impacts that affect food supply chains and that come from its life-cycle phases. Therefore, package design should be done based upon not only the issues of cost, food shelf-life and safety, as well as practicality, but also of environ- mental sustainability. For this purpose, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can be applied in the packaging fi eld with the aim of highlighting environmental hotspots and improvement potentials, thus enabling more eco-friendly prod- ucts. In this context, an LCA of foamy polystyrene (PS) trays used for fresh meat packaging was performed here. The study highlighted that the highest environmental impacts come from PS-granule production and electricity consumption. In this regard, the authors underscored that there are no margins for improvement in the produc- tion of the granules and in the transport of the material inputs involved as well as of the trays to users. On the contrary, changing the energy source into a renewable one (by installing, for instance, a wind power plant) would enable a 14% damage reduction. In this way, the authors documented that alternative ways can be found for global environmental improvement of the system analysed and so for enhanced environmental sustainability of food packaging systems.
- Full Text:
Incineration as a potential solution to Africa’s plastic waste challenges? A narrative review
- Mazhandu, Z. S. M., Muzenda, E., Belaid, M., Mamvura, T. A., Nhubu, T.
- Authors: Mazhandu, Z. S. M. , Muzenda, E. , Belaid, M. , Mamvura, T. A. , Nhubu, T.
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Incineration , Life Cycle Assessment , Plastic waste
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/458865 , uj:40776 , Citation: Mazhandu, Z.S.M. et al. 2020. Incineration as a potential solution to Africa’s plastic waste challenges? A narrative review.
- Description: Abstract: Africa is considered the second most polluted continent and it will contribute the highest amount of waste into the world’s oceans by 2035. A paltry 4% of the total municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in Africa is recycled and yet 70-80% of the MSW is recyclable. In addition, 90% of the waste that is generated is dumped at uncontrolled landfills while 10% is illegally burnt. Africa has accumulated over 130 million tonnes of plastic waste on its landfills. The poor recycling statistics of the continent means that Africa is missing out on the benefits that plastic waste can yield such as job creation and energy generation; both which are lacking in Africa. The objectives of this review are therefore to assess whether incineration can be considered in the management of plastic waste in Africa based on past life cycle assessment studies; to determine the risks associated with incineration as well as evaluate threats to its success. Data was sourced using keywords and phrases in academic databases and grey literature. The results show that opportunities exist for Africa to manage its plastic waste sustainably and therefore, landfilling of plastic wastes is not the solution due to the risk of spontaneous fires that release harmful toxins. In conclusion, as the continent navigates the path to “zero waste to landfills” in line with circular economy principles; it is time for waste to energy technologies such as incineration to be considered in waste management systems. Life cycle assessments (LCAs) within the African context need to be carried out as they are lacking, in order to determine how incineration or other treatment methods such as pyrolysis and use of plastic wastes in cement kilns and blast furnaces can be successfully implemented without increasing eco-toxicological and human toxicological impacts.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mazhandu, Z. S. M. , Muzenda, E. , Belaid, M. , Mamvura, T. A. , Nhubu, T.
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Incineration , Life Cycle Assessment , Plastic waste
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/458865 , uj:40776 , Citation: Mazhandu, Z.S.M. et al. 2020. Incineration as a potential solution to Africa’s plastic waste challenges? A narrative review.
- Description: Abstract: Africa is considered the second most polluted continent and it will contribute the highest amount of waste into the world’s oceans by 2035. A paltry 4% of the total municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in Africa is recycled and yet 70-80% of the MSW is recyclable. In addition, 90% of the waste that is generated is dumped at uncontrolled landfills while 10% is illegally burnt. Africa has accumulated over 130 million tonnes of plastic waste on its landfills. The poor recycling statistics of the continent means that Africa is missing out on the benefits that plastic waste can yield such as job creation and energy generation; both which are lacking in Africa. The objectives of this review are therefore to assess whether incineration can be considered in the management of plastic waste in Africa based on past life cycle assessment studies; to determine the risks associated with incineration as well as evaluate threats to its success. Data was sourced using keywords and phrases in academic databases and grey literature. The results show that opportunities exist for Africa to manage its plastic waste sustainably and therefore, landfilling of plastic wastes is not the solution due to the risk of spontaneous fires that release harmful toxins. In conclusion, as the continent navigates the path to “zero waste to landfills” in line with circular economy principles; it is time for waste to energy technologies such as incineration to be considered in waste management systems. Life cycle assessments (LCAs) within the African context need to be carried out as they are lacking, in order to determine how incineration or other treatment methods such as pyrolysis and use of plastic wastes in cement kilns and blast furnaces can be successfully implemented without increasing eco-toxicological and human toxicological impacts.
- Full Text:
Process evaluation of a domestic biogas digester
- Authors: Madushela, Nkosinathi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Biogas digesters , Life Cycle Assessment
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/218682 , uj:21807 , Citation: Madushela, N. 2017. Process evaluation of a domestic biogas digester. International Conference on Sustainable Materials Processing and Manufacturing, SMPM 2017, 23-25 January 2017, Kruger National Park. , ISSN: 2351-9789
- Description: Abstract: Africa has launched a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) network in conjunction with the Society of Environment Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), and this points to a recognized gap in LCA initiatives between developed and developing countries. Although South Africa does not have legislation on carrying-out LCA initiatives, there is a huge drive on preserving our environment, and that is evidenced through the carbon tax bill already proposed. It is due to such developments that the authors initiated an LCA initiative in the design phase of a Biogas Plant for domestic applications. Thorough LCA initiatives are notorious for being time consuming and often manipulated by organizations to “greenwash” their products. These challenges have been a stumbling block for the acceptance of LCA initiatives. The paper looked at the operation of a biogas digester process, for a biogas digester that has been developed in the University of Johannesburg. From the aforementioned process fundamental Life Cycle computation was carried out to identify the environmental impact of the product.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Madushela, Nkosinathi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Biogas digesters , Life Cycle Assessment
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/218682 , uj:21807 , Citation: Madushela, N. 2017. Process evaluation of a domestic biogas digester. International Conference on Sustainable Materials Processing and Manufacturing, SMPM 2017, 23-25 January 2017, Kruger National Park. , ISSN: 2351-9789
- Description: Abstract: Africa has launched a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) network in conjunction with the Society of Environment Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), and this points to a recognized gap in LCA initiatives between developed and developing countries. Although South Africa does not have legislation on carrying-out LCA initiatives, there is a huge drive on preserving our environment, and that is evidenced through the carbon tax bill already proposed. It is due to such developments that the authors initiated an LCA initiative in the design phase of a Biogas Plant for domestic applications. Thorough LCA initiatives are notorious for being time consuming and often manipulated by organizations to “greenwash” their products. These challenges have been a stumbling block for the acceptance of LCA initiatives. The paper looked at the operation of a biogas digester process, for a biogas digester that has been developed in the University of Johannesburg. From the aforementioned process fundamental Life Cycle computation was carried out to identify the environmental impact of the product.
- Full Text:
Special Issue: Comparative assessment 1 of compositing and anaerobic digestion of 2 municipal biodegradable waste in Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nhubu, Trust, Muzenda, Edson, Mbohwa, Charles, Agbenyeku, Emmanuel O M
- Authors: Nhubu, Trust , Muzenda, Edson , Mbohwa, Charles , Agbenyeku, Emmanuel O M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Life Cycle Assessment , Sustainable , Compost
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/405304 , uj:34029 , Citation:
- Description: Abstract : Composting and AD of biodegradable waste were assessed for their benefits from literature and environmental impacts using the life cycle impact assessment procedure. Literature review findings indicate an overall edge for AD over composting largely due to its renewable energy production capabilities, reduced exhaust emissions and cost effectiveness considering the entire MSW life cycle. LCIA results show that both AD and composting leads to increases across the four impact categories considered namely, global warming, human health, eutrophication and acidification. AD however showed lower contributions than composting to global warming, human health and acidification. Composting only showed lower contribution than AD in regards to eutrophication. Overall study results indicate an edge for AD over composting in treating and managing biodegradable fraction of MSW generated in Harare and its surrounding urban and peri urban environments of Chitungwiza, Epworth, Norton and Ruwa.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nhubu, Trust , Muzenda, Edson , Mbohwa, Charles , Agbenyeku, Emmanuel O M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Life Cycle Assessment , Sustainable , Compost
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/405304 , uj:34029 , Citation:
- Description: Abstract : Composting and AD of biodegradable waste were assessed for their benefits from literature and environmental impacts using the life cycle impact assessment procedure. Literature review findings indicate an overall edge for AD over composting largely due to its renewable energy production capabilities, reduced exhaust emissions and cost effectiveness considering the entire MSW life cycle. LCIA results show that both AD and composting leads to increases across the four impact categories considered namely, global warming, human health, eutrophication and acidification. AD however showed lower contributions than composting to global warming, human health and acidification. Composting only showed lower contribution than AD in regards to eutrophication. Overall study results indicate an edge for AD over composting in treating and managing biodegradable fraction of MSW generated in Harare and its surrounding urban and peri urban environments of Chitungwiza, Epworth, Norton and Ruwa.
- Full Text:
- «
- ‹
- 1
- ›
- »