The Plastic Waste And Management Methods Environmental Sciences Essay

The Plastic Waste And Management Methods Environmental Sciences EssayThis dissertation contri preciselyes new and unique evidence to the debates surrounding malleable scratch off attention wefts and their instals on the environment.A recurring theme in the debates around waxy forsake commission system is the extent to that whether the ductile angry temperament options give genuine benefits to the environment. Often, criticizers of the strategy drive towards larger shaping recycle assert that the act of recycle could be in detail has less(prenominal) or no benefit to the environment, consuming extra energy in the collection and transportation of plastic waste to the recycling facilities than is saved by the procedure of recycling.In order to notify this debate in expound, this dissertation commissi iodind a key international LCAs studies. By reviewing considerable international studies, and employing unmitigated criteria to filter out those studies that keep less robu st systemological analysis and assumptions, after the number of studies screened 11 state of the art LCAs were selected for methodical m lend oneself, including disparate scenarios. The result is more(prenominal) objective oriented analysis of the environmental encounters of different waste charge methods for Plastics waste than one single study can deliver.Through the use of past(a) LCAs, it investigates both plastic waste government activity options and environmental prepargon of the activities of plastic waste worry by using meta and statistical analytical methods. Research methodology in addition considered, setting up a framework to review and selection restricting criteria for LCA studies. In so doing it provides the waste management methods performances with regards to environmental indicators. Persuading plastic methods substantiate been chosen to comparing options Landfilling, recycling, incineration and pyrolysis performances with regards to perusing environmental impact indicators climate change, depletion of ingrained resources, energy demands and peeing consumption.This dissertation focuses on recycling, incineration, fetchfilling and pyrolysis that be plastic waste disposal methods and their performance concerning climate change, depletion of born(p) resources, energy demand, and piss consumption that atomic number 18 environmental impacts indicators. By reviewing past LCAs, it investigates plastic waste management options and environmental issue of the activities involved. For selection of LCA studies restricting selection criteria atomic number 18 developed. Meta analytical methods were adapted to synthesize and codify the findings of LCAs. Codified data were statistically analysed to calculate mean size effect. It provides the best, intermediately and the worst option concerning environmental performances of plastic waste management methods.The results are clear that all of the studies prop the following(a) terminals. afte r relation between of recycling, land filling, incineration and pyrolysis of waste plastic, Recycling appears to be a preferable management option over alternatives. Whereas, pyrolysis method emerged as a promising option for plastic waste disposal.INTRODUCTIONThis study grew from a meeting of two interests The authors academic interest in the environment and development issues, and work experience in the field of polythene ( flatter) plastic. The main objective of this dissertation is is to contribute to the debate concerning the causes of environmental impacts of plastic waste management methodsThe following atom introduces the background and significance of choosing this study sports stadium and context of the study. It also outlines the aim and objectives of the dissertation. Additionally, organisation of the whole study provide be inform. Finally, justification of the undertakings the present study will be given. Plastics waste, need of a better waste management method an d sustainability and plastic will be discussed.1.1 Plastic waste and management methodsPlastic is a durable, versatile material and relatively inexpensive. Plastic products have brought benefits to society in many ways such as quality of vivification, jobs, and economic activities. However, waste plastic also imposes environmental impacts. In view of the fact that plastic is non-biodegradable, it can remain in the atmosphere for a exceedingly long time and so plastic poses risks to the environment and sympathetic health, It is also difficult to reuse and/or recycle in practice (European Commission, 2013a).Many countries are trying to incorporate different strategies to increase plastic recycling rates. According to the Environmental agency (UK), statutory recycling fags have been given to all the local authorities in Wales (2012a). Whereas, in Scotland waste regulations operates without statutory recycling targets, and here funds are available for local authorities to help incr ease recycling rate(2012b). By making recycling mandatory or funding recycling a difference can be make to global environmental issue that exists because of waste.This dissertation focuses on recycling, incineration, landfilling and pyrolysis that are plastic waste disposal methods and their performance concerning climate change, depletion of native resources, energy demand, and water consumption that are included as environmental impacts indicators. By using past LCAs findings, it investigates plastic waste disposal options and environmental effect of the activities involved in plastic waste management.1.2 Aim and objectives of the studyThe aim of this research dissertation is to expose environmentally sustainable management options for waste plastics. There will be an attempt to achieve the aim of this study by undertaking following three objectives.Objective 1 By reviewing, the relevant controls to address environmental issues related to the recycling, landfilling, pyrolysis and incineration. In addition to environmental indicators that are included in the study climate change, depletion of natural resources, energy demand, and water consumption evaluating international physical processes to recommend the best legislation, policies and practices.Objective 2 Objective two is to set up a framework for LCA selections. in one case LCA studies are retained Meta analytical methods will be apply to synthesize the findings of selected LCAs. Further, use of Meta synthesis for the codification of the LCA findings. Finally, statistically analysed the data to calculate mean effect size using Microsoft excel tool. In order to assess the environmental viability of recycling, landfilling, pyrolysis and incineration for waste plastics through appraisal of included environmental indicators.Objective 3 The exhibit of the codified data sample will take place in this objective. Codified data will be statistically analysed using Microsoft excels (2010). To present in th e form of histograms and charts, four management options will be assessed under each environmental indicator based on the results of each selected LCA study. To find out which one of the four waste management methods emerges as the best option regarding each or environmental indicator performances.1.3 Justification of the studyPlastic waste management and its environmental implications are a majorly important issue and one of the major research topics of many governmental and environmental entities such as NAPCOR, DEFRA, WRAP, Recoup, Environmental fortress Agencies(EPAs) of majorities of countries and unite Nation(UN). WRAP (2006) and Villanueva et al (2004). For instance,published a major preliminary environmental impact analysis of a different type of waste materials including plastic and comparison of recycling, incineration and land filling by reviewing international LCAs and the conclusion of that research is recycling offers more environmental benefits than alternatives. Th is research considered as high quality and information divided up by UN and US EPA. However, there have been many waste management option emerged since WRAP report been published such as pyrolysis and artilleryification, Efw informs Jowit (2010).What is different in this study is the inclusion body of pyrolysis, which as a new method was not included in WRAP (2006) and Villanueva et al (2004). Second gap that is addressed is the inclusion of one of the environmental indicators -water consumption in the impact studies, this indicator previously ignored by WRAP (2006) where the concentration is on Climate Change, capability demand and Depletion of natural resources. To investigate and address these gaps the author will undertake past LCA studies. Findings of LCAs will present this in a new way. Additionally, the decision to use a meta- analysis approach originated from United Nations Development Program (UNDP) report on review of past LCA using Meta analysis (2012).however, LCA se lecting criteria were not used in UNDP research, which is other than adopted in this present study to ensure quality of the result.This study will also try to find out whether recycling is environmentally, sustainable option for plastic waste as claimed by past studies or will emerging technologies will prove to be a better option. This report will also attempt to identify data gap in the literature review and recommend if there is a need for further research in the circumstantial area for future researchers.1.4 Organisation of the studyThe research structure includes four roles. Firstly, Literature review section that will review the brisk literature that is related to four waste management options, continuously building towards the significance of environmental sustainability of plastic waste management methods. Additionally, to give broader understanding of included environmental indicators will be studied. Review of international policies, legislation and surveys that are p ertaining to plastic waste management methods and environmental indicators. The main purpose of this section is also to identify a data gap in the literature. Secondly, by reviewing waste management methods author will try to find out which is the acknowledged environmentally sustainable plastic waste disposal option.Secondly, methodology section will describe adapted methods for data collection where data will be collected for this study to illustrate the broader issues of preceding sections concerning environmental impacts of existing waste management options. This section will explain rigorous criteria applied for selection of data sample. Meta analytical method steps used for codification will be outlined. Followed by systematic adaptation of statistical analysis using Microsoft excel to calculate mean effect size will be informed.Thirdly, presentation and interpretation of the results that are obtained from the analysis of data will take place. Based on the findings, discussio n will take place in this section followed by recommendations to future researchers. Finally, the conclusion will employ findings of the dissertation and discussion as a reference in this section and research questions will be answered. More importantly, main aim and all the objectives in connection with the findings of this dissertation will be addressed in the conclusion section.SummaryThis section provides information that undertaken study area is vital and problematic. Justifications have been given for undertakings of this study on with the gap in existing knowledge have been addressed where evidence has been given of previous studies further role of this dissertation findings was informed. Organisation of this study has been informed. This section also informed the significance sustainability to justify inclusion of environmentally sustainability in this study area. Following section will review the known literature in accordance with existing plastic waste management methods and identify its environmental implications. It will also assess proposed policies, proven strategies those are originally introduced to help enhance present environmental conditions summarisation of real life case studies and learned examples will be celebrated in the following section by introducing and reviewing items of previous research in the area.LiTeRATURE REVIEWThis section is an attempt to achieve the objective one. The following section divided into three parts, First section addresses plastic waste management methods landfilling, recycling, pyrolysis and incineration. Secondly, environmental indicators climate Change, depletion of natural resources, energy demands and water consumptions that are used in the study as a benchmarking to compare each waste management method performances. Finally, provides an overview of the international strategies and policies applied in practice.Key sources used for this study are reports of Government Agencies WRAP, DEFRA and EU and int ernationally United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) along with published international scientific databases and journals from Springer, International daybook of Life Cycle Assessment and ScienceDirect. This represents a combination of sources including Governmental Agencies and academic authors. In addition, the webpage of the European Commission was searched for studies commissioned as gossip to EU policies.Plastic waste problem descriptionBroulidakis Martnez (2012) noted that waste is not treated as worthless garbage anymore, it is instead believed as a re. Nevertheless, what is happening with the resources? Treating waste sustainably is a crucial issue. Identifying whether or not waste is been managed in a way that is betterment for environment, society and it should be scotch as well. This chapter will find an answer to those questions by reviewing already known literature. It will also try to identify which one is the known environmentally sustainable method for plasti c waste by reviewing published articles, studies and set of research.It was stated by Tehrani et al., in 2009 that there is no a solitary knowledge of a single technology that can resolve the waste associated issues. In order to provide a broader understanding of this issue, following section will discuss the existing plastic waste management options to gain a better understanding of the processes related to waste management and their environmental effects.2.1 Waste management methods and their environmental impactsThe following section addresses methods that are in use for the management of plastic waste include Landfill, Incineration, Pyrolysis and Recycling along with their environmental impacts are discussed now in details.2.1.1 LandfillA landfill is a one of the waste management methods in which solid wastes are disposed in a manner that limits their encounter on the environment. According to the confederation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Landfilling is the complex system of interrelated material and sub system that act together to break down and stabilize disposed waste overtime (2004). Landfill is extremely old disposal method, but yet one of the utilized one for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management.Apart from taking large area of land it also generate odour, bio-aerosols, visual disturbance and lead to the release of hazardous chemicals through the leachate which is the liquid that drains or leaches from a landfill sites. Emission of nursery gas through landfill is due to organic breakdown of disposal of biodegradable including bio plastic waste. European Union Low informed in 2008s issue on the management of bio-waste in the EU countries that Landfill of waste usually entails non-recoverable loss of resources and land. Since landfill, sites can normally not be used after closure for scientific engineering and/or health risk reasons and in the medium to long term. This review of literature found that landfilling is not considered a sustainable waste management solution.2.1.2 IncinerationIncineration is a epoch-making method that avoids the problem of landfilling space problems. In this method, thermal waste treatment procedure takes place where lovesome or unprocessed plastics waste can be utilized as feedstock. Plastic waste is combusted in different temperature according to the type of plastic and in this period plastic waste modified to carbon copy dioxide, water and non-combustible materials alongside solid residue state leaves incinerator bottom ash (IBA) that always has contain a small union of carbon residual (DEFRA, 2012). produce report of the Environment Agency (2002) on the safety of incinerator ash confirms that IBA can be safely used as an aggregate in construction as it contains dioxin levels similar to those found in soils. However, friends of earth review reports argued that the government should give guidance on acceptable contamination levels in construction materials (2002). International Journal o f Environment in Comparative study of municipal solid waste treatment technologies using life cycle assessment method stated that incineration as one of the competent strategies to resolve waste association problems (Zaman, 2010) and its ability to generate heat and energy from the plastic waste. However, considering incineration of plastic waste is solely depending on whether or not energy is recovered (Weiss et.al ,2012)along with other aspects such as quality of fuel and efficiency of energy which varies considerably depending on whether incineration plant delivers electricity, heat or both along with the used technology, for instance, higher efficiencies can be achieved in fuel gas condensation method.However, according to the EUs report (2010) on waste management, the environmental impacts of incinerating plastic waste included glass provide gas emissions. Furthermore, Pilz, et al. (2010) in their report on The impact of plastics on life cycle energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission in Europe informed that in some circumstances, incineration of plastic waste in MSW can result in a mesh increase in CO2 emissions. It is certain that this process can be helpful in avoided some of the plastic waste problems, but it also has environmental impacts.2.1.3 PyrolysisPyrolysis is an advanced thermal treatment. Interest in pyrolysis has heightened over the past decade, and there is considerable anticipation that this technology will prove to be viable alternatives for traffic with residual fractions municipal waste to assist in compliance with the Landfill diversion elements of the EC Landfill Directive (DEFRA, 2004). Pyrolysis is the thermal degradation of waste in the absence of melodic phrase to produce gas, diesel like pyrolysis oil) or solid (mainly ash, char, and carbon). Zhiru (2001) pointed out difference in pyrolysis oil and diesel and noted that diesel cannot be assumed matched with pyrolysis fuels (p.80) and remarkably few reports related to the behaviour of materials in pyrolysis fuels are available. Findings of research by Alston and Arnold (2011) informs that pyrolysis is a strong compromise method as compared to Landfill, Recycling and Incineration with their environmental impact categories. As the gases and oil produced in pyrolysis could be used as fuel and so provides significant resource saving without high impact on climate or landfill space. Additionally, Scheirs and Kaminsky (2006) noted, the main advantage of pyrolysis is that allows process of plastic waste which is otherwise difficult to recycle. This process produces reusable products with unlimited market acceptance (p24). This book is helpful in understanding pyrolysis process. However, does not assess environmental impacts of pyrolysis, nevertheless, it has been noted that unlike incineration, there are no environmentally harmful emissions in pyrolysis process (p.598).2.1.4 RecyclingRecycling is considered as one of the classic goals in sustainable waste management system (Bohma et, al 2010). Collected waste plastic are being sent to various market ,due to growing market for recycled plastics which includes closed loop systems for PET bottles. Plastics are also exported to abroad for recycling purpose (Defra, 2012), but it is argued environmental benefits of export overshadow the impact of transportation. Environmental impacts of transportation involved in exportation are high. Recycling can prevent an enormous amount of virgin production, which leads to saving energy, depletion of raw material, reducing GHG emissions including acidification even after considering transportation. However, WRAP (2006) argued that, The accurate impacts are depending on the virgin material being replaced and life swing out of replaced product. PET is one of the plastics types which is collected the most for recycling (DEFRA,2011b) this type of plastic is been included in the present study. Recycling protects resources embodied in waste plastic however , it is argued by many rough the requirement of energy inputs for the transformation process, this lead to environmental impacts. Besides that, not all of plastic types can be recycled. The PET bottle has strong advantages in recycling, however, complex products like composites, low weight articles or those that are contaminated with other products are less favourable to recycling.2.2 health impacts of plastic waste recyclingThere is a risk involved in plastic waste recycling affecting local populations in countries with less rigorous regulations than in the EU (Mudgal et.al 2010). Wong et.al noted that the majority of the cases companies fail to provide appropriate facilities protecting the environment and kind health (2007). Such as check and melting of plastics in unventilated areas that are not seen in European practice can have negative consequences on human health. One specific case study showed due to incomplete combustion of Waste Electrical, and Electronic Equipment(WEE E) from plastic materials such as PVC and plastic chips there was higher concentrations of ominous metal found in the air of the China (Guiyu region). The study showed high concentrations of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PDBEs) in the air, released from the melting of polymers that contain brominated flame-retardants. Admittedly, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the States have informed that high exposure to PDBEs, which found in the human body, has been linked to, hormone disruption, thyroid permanent learning and memory impairment, behavioural changes, hearing deficits, fatal malformations and possibly cancer (Herbstman et al., 2010). However, human toxicity issue is ignored by environmental impact studies those are based on qualitative studies and the said(prenominal) confirmed by Wollny and European Environmental Bureau (EEB) Brussels(2013)2.3 Environmental Impacts IndicatorsThe following table explains each of indicators that are included in this stud y it also critically analyse policies and measures taken to prevent environmental impact.IndicatorDescription of Environmental IndictorDescription, impact and related piecewide policiesClimate ChangeClimate change is also addressed as globe warming. Globe warming is the rise in the average temperature of the earth surface, due to a possible rise in the greenhouse impacts, provoked by anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases.Research published in the journal PLoS Medicine (2012) informs according to a group of European public health experts that climate change could alter patterns of food availability, physical activity and in some cases might bring direct physical harm. Friends of Earth (2007) reported that waste prevention is the most beneficial option from a climate point of view, followed by reuse and recycling Warhorse and Watson confirm (2006) landfill and incineration are the worse options (p.6)The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC, 2013) an inte rnational treaty joined by 195 countries, except the States. To follow up from Kyoto protocol green house gas emission is seen as the most crucial issue within the field of climate change policies. BBC informed back in 2009 that The America accounts for more or less 25% of the worlds total CO2 emission and have received a large amount of criticism for its stance on climate change.Depletion of natural resources resource depletion described as the cutting potential of all natural resources. The resources believed in this study are mineral and fossil resources. Plastics are made from oil, coal and gas, which are limited natural resources (Australia EPA,2013).majority of plastic bags are made from polyethylene, made up of natural gas, and Plastic is not biodegradable, so all the plastic that has ever been made is stilexist around us today. Most of it is in landfills, if not then floating in the sea. University of Cambridges report on plastic recycling informed that the production of 1 kg of polyethylene (PET or LDPE), requires the equivalent of 2 kg of oil for energy and raw material. Although plastics only consume around 4% of the worlds oil, supplies are bonnie depleted. Once depleted these resources cannot be replaced.The depletion of natural resources is becoming a key focus(Karen,2008) This is evident in the UNs Agenda 21 Section 2 which provides the necessary steps to be taken by all countries to sustain their natural resources (2002) Schilling chiang confirms the depletion of natural resources is a sustainable development issue (2011).furthermore, Salvati and Marco (2008) noted in regards to natural resources, depletion is of concern for sustainability as it poses the ability to degrade current environments(p.218) and potential to impact the needs of future generations(p.523)Energy demandPrimary energy is obtainable raw energy in nature and is separated into renewable and non renewable primary energies. The non renewable are atomic energy, usual gas, coa l, and oil, Renewable is wind energy, solar, biomass and hydraulic. UK department of Energy and Climate Change (2012) informed that the UK has developed Pathways analysis and calculator tool which will help policy makers. Gervet (2007) in his captivating report on the use of crude oil in plastic making contributing to the global warming pointed out that energy consumption in total worldwide plastic production from 1939 till 2004 is 0.59 10 14 kWh (p.5). Plastics Europe informed in order to produce plastic products, energy resources are consumed(2013). Currently energy resources are majorly obtained from non-renewable sources, and when used greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are produced. Nevertheless, it was established in a study undertaken by GUA/denkstatt in 2004/2005 even more energy would be consumed along with more GHG emission, if plastic products were to be substituted by alternative materials. Pilz et al., 2005.Water consumptionWater consumption symbolizes to the removal of wat er from the various origins (rivers, seas, and groundwater) for use by humans. This water is not returned to the origins and sources. According to the UN World Development Report, up to 500 Million Tons of wastes accumulate each year from Industry most of it goes into the fresh water supply. Also informed some of the developing countries dump 70 % of industrial waste into untreated waters where drinking water gets polluted (2013). Professor Grossman noted back in 2004 that Industrial water use is about 22 %. According to Centre for Science and environment- India, countries all over the world set standards and target for water consumption for industries. China, For instance government push companies to save as much as 6 billion cubic meters of water per year informed in China water conservation Agency report in 2005.Proposed and implemented governmental strategies and policies targeting plastic waste will be discussed in details in the following part of this chapter.2.4 Policies on p lastic wastePlastic waste management goes across a numerous policy fields along with sustainable management of resources and habitat protection, climate change, agriculture, soil protection and energy, biodiversity. Purpose of this section is to provide an overview of measures taken by Government agencies and environmental protection bodies to slew the environmental impacts of plastic waste.According to Science for environmental policies ,European commission, (2011) Municipal waste collection and separation is a vital part in all waste management methods, for countries such as Germany, Austria and Sweden where waste management systems are more advanced, and source separated collection rates are already high(Waste Management World, 2013 b).waste management world (2013) reported European Union as the most advanced waste management system. The European exports of plastic waste rose by 250%, reaching 2.27 meg tonnes approximately 5 million tonnes are annually recycled in Europe.Some s elected counters, policies and measures related to the waste management are discussed in following table hoidenish and Government AgencyIntroduced, Implemented Policies, Legislation and measuresNetherlandsDutch Waste Management Association (DWMA)The Netherland recycle no less than 64% of its waste and the remainder are incinerated with generation of electricity, and a small percentage ends up in landfill. This is a country that is practically unique when consider recycling. Separating waste is the popular environmental measure activity among Dutch people that account for more than 90% of Dutch people involved in this sort of activities.Source http//www.dwma.euUnited State of AmericaNational Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA)According to a recent study by NSMWA Privatised, waste services signifies cost savings and lower fiscal risks for municipalities than public sector counterparts dExperiment of using fly ash(recycling toxic)as an additive to produce light weight composite that can be used in the automotive industry is taking place in the New York university. The university researchers claim that it has the potential to keep tons of toxic waste out of landfills while sour the cost of some of the expensive raw materials. Source www.environmentalistseveryday.orgQatarMinistry of Environment(MOE)An integrated solid waste treatment in the Qatar, that is the first of its kind in the Middle East. This preparedness centre has a capableness of treating 2300 tonnes of solid waste per day, along with 5000 tonnes of CD waste.Source www.moe.gov.qaUnited KingdomDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)UK is home plate to the worlds largest plastics recycling plant. The 15 million venture by Coca-Cola, WRAP and ethical plastic bottle recycle, ECO Plastics is going to be the worlds largest plastics reprocessing facility. The plant will save about 33, 5000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per Annum that is the equivalent of taking 15,715 cars off the roa d.Source www.defra.gov.ukTaiwanEPATaiwan is planning to excavate about 400 landfills for energy and material recovery, additionally, add bio-energy capacity to its incineration facilities.Environmental Protection administration (EPA)TaiwanSource www.epa.gov.twAustraliaDepartment of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and CommunitiesStewardship Bill have been introduced by the Australian government and of the aim of helping to manage the environmental, and human health. This will demand manufacturers and importers of computers, and TVs to fund and implement national collection and recycling of these products. Source www.environment.gov.auExample of failure of advanced waste management systemsThe increasingly recognize problem of plastic floati