3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Product carbon footprint analysis for the packaging process of returnable glass and pet containers for a South African carbonated soft drinks business(2016) Ivanov, IvanNon-renewable resources are becoming scarce and current Global Warming Potential (GWP) values are rising. In an effort to promote a successful shift towards a “greener’ planet, governments worldwide are developing policies, which enforce businesses to contribute to the effort. One such policy is the potential upcoming carbon tax (measured in weight of C02e) in South Africa. As a result, industries need to carefully analyse and understand their core processes and their impact on the environment to ensure that their operations have the lowest environmental cost possible. One such industry in South Africa is the fast growing Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSD) beverage packaging industry. CSD are packaged in both Returnable Glass Bottles/Glass (RGB) and PET containers. The Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) of the CSD packaging process for 300ml Glass and 500ml PET containers was of particular interest. Review of academic literature revealed that no similar research has been conducted previously in South Africa. International studies on PCF, which vastly use the (ISO 14040/14044, 2006) for their method, were found to have conflicting results and conclusions regarding the “greenness” of the two types of containers both with respect to the overall GWP of each and the percentage contribution of the packaging process life cycle stage to the total environmental impact. This is mainly because such studies are region and technology specific. A study was therefore required to understand the implications the business' Glass and PET CSD packaging process has on its GWP and hence carbon tax. The GHG (Green House Gas) Protocol PCF guideline (World Resource Institute, 2013) was used to construct the method for this research to ensure best practice, which would allow the study to be expanded into a full blown Fife Cycle Assessment (FCA) as future work. It was found that the 500ml PET packaging process draws 100% of its Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) from purchased electricity (generated by burning coal) and has a GWP of 65 147 gCCTe/hl (hectolitre), which is 4.5 times less than that for 300ml Glass (294 173 gCCEe/hl) which has 71% of its emissions resulting directly from coal fired boilers on site. A dynamic model analysis revealed that packaging in larger containers results in a significant GWP reduction per volume for both Glass and PET containers. It was recommended that short term the business needs to focus on optimising its packaging lines’ equipment, work with suppliers on reducing the weight of the raw materials used for the packaging containers manufacture and promote rate of return of its Glass.Item Pre-treatment processing of household plastic packaging waste(2016) Blackstock, RossThe purpose of this investigation was to investigate whether or not it would be possible to separate blow moulded and injection moulded waste plastics using two techniques; air classification and ballistic separation. Air classification and ballistic separation are two techniques that separate different types of material according to size, shape and density. Previous research, together with new measurements, has suggested that blow mould plastics tend to be thinner in terms of wall thickness than injection moulded plastics meaning that air classification could be used to separate each type of plastic. The material used for the study was supplied by a Romanian recycler and was a mixture of High Density Polyethylene and polypropylene. Two additional samples, one Polyethylene rich and the other polypropylene rich, were also included in the research. The first part of the study involved measuring different characteristics of the material to determine how to go about performing the different air classification experiments. The second part of the study focused on separating the different material samples using different air classifier systems and a ballistic separation system. The third part of the study focused on processing the samples from part 2 (air classification) into test specimens for further mechanical and melt flow property measurements. After measuring the mechanical and melt flow properties of the different samples it was found that air classification did not substantially improve the mechanical or melt flow properties of the material. The study did, however, show that there is a strong correlation between polymer type and melt flow properties. High Density polypropylene is generally used for blow mould applications whereas polypropylene is generally used for injection mould applications. Separating the material according to polymer type therefore means that the material is, to an extent, also sorted according to melt flow properties.Item To ascertain the implementation of the plastic carrier bags regulations at the local government sphere in Gauteng Province(2012-05-14) Ndzhukula, Sizakele JudithThere has been a genuine problem with plastic carrier bags (PCBs) pollution since the 1970’s. A literature review revealed that very few scientific studies have been undertaken globally on PCB. The South African Government promulgated regulations to reduce numbers, encourage reuse and recycling of plastic bags in 2003. The regulations introduced a charge for PCBs. This study looked at the handling and disposal of PCB after 2003 in Gauteng Province, South Africa; and looked at the movement of PCB from major retailers and informal traders to consumers and recycling and recovery. The study excluded the manufacturers and distributors of PCB. It began with the retailers and informal traders being the source of PCB and extended to consumers during their grocery shopping in large retail stores and purchases from informal traders. The study also looked at the individual waste collectors operating in landfill sites, residential and industrial areas to establish the level of recycling of PCB. Buyisa-e-Bag (B-e-B) was at the end of the collection of PCB pathway where it was supposed to provide leadership in the recovery of the bags. Semi-structured interviews were used to collate data on recycling approach with specific focus on PCB and understanding of the legislation. A total of one hundred consumers were interviewed in the shopping malls. Consumers did not know much about the regulations hence they could not explain the reason they have to pay for PCB. Ninety one percent of consumers did not reuse bags for shopping and 68% reused PCB at home to store waste before it is disposed of. Eighty informal traders were interviewed: all indicated that they did not charge for PCB. Forty chain supermarkets managers were interviewed from the shopping centres covered by the study. The retailers were affected by the PCB regulations; they reduced the number of grocery packers and increased security to prevent theft. Nevertheless, they complied with the regulations by selling only the thick bags. Twenty landfill and recycling facilities managers formed part of the study. All landfill managers encouraged general waste recycling to prolong lifespan of the site. Fifty individual recyclers were interviewed in the landfill sites, recycling facilities and on the road side while pushing their trolleys. They found it economically impractical to collect PCBs. Awareness of plastic litter has increased and less is visible though this was not measured. Legal compliance with regulations and specifications needed to be actively driven by all the relevant parties. PCBs are fully recyclable; hence more public awareness is required aimed at preventing the contamination of bags which deters re-claimers from collecting them. B-e-B has not met most of the objectives of their formation and has since been placed under administration by DEAT. Inadequate communication and collective bargaining between the key role parties resulted in the delays in getting the recycling projects off the ground. Major retailers complied with the Government regulations. Informal traders and consumers were generally unaware of regulations and consequences of PCB use. Consumers bought new PCB and in most cases, failed to reuse them for shopping. Recycling of PCBs is not carried out effectively as it is not economically worthwhile. This requires further research to explore the potential uses of PCBs at the end of their lifecycle