We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Life cycle assessment of single-use and reusable plastic bottles in the city of Johannesburg
ClearA Revision for the Different Reuses of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Water Bottles
This review examined different strategies for reusing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) water bottles, highlighting their significant carbon footprint and waste generation while exploring sustainable recycling and repurposing approaches to reduce plastic pollution.
Life cycle assessment based optimization of scenarios of reusable glass bottles using context-specific key parameters
Researchers analyzed the environmental trade-offs of switching from single-use to reusable glass bottles, finding that reusable systems can cut both carbon emissions and microplastic pollution, but only when designed with context-specific factors like local energy sources and trip distances in mind.
Integrated LCA and OPEN LCA-CML baseline analysis on environmental impact associated with the plastic packaging waste management system of Rubavu city Rwanda
Researchers used life cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental impacts of different plastic bottle waste management pathways in Rwanda, where bottles currently end up in an open dumpsite. The study identifies which waste management changes would most reduce the plastic that eventually fragments into environmental microplastics.
Life Cycle Assessment of Selected Single-Use Plastic Products towards Evidence-Based Policy Recommendations in Sri Lanka
Researchers applied life cycle assessment to common single-use plastic products in Sri Lanka, quantifying their environmental impacts across production to disposal and providing evidence-based recommendations to guide national plastic pollution policy.
Role of Reverse Logistics Activities in the Recycling of Used Plastic Bottled Water Waste Management
Researchers investigated the role of reverse logistics activities in recycling used plastic bottles and waste management in Ethiopia, finding through surveys of 258 respondents that incineration, landfilling, and roadside dumping remain dominant disposal practices while reuse and remanufacturing are rarely implemented.
Plastics in municipal drinking water and wastewater treatment plant effluents: challenges and opportunities for South Africa-a review.
This review examines the limited research on plastic pollution in South African freshwater and drinking water systems compared to the country's more studied coastal and marine environments. The authors identify a significant knowledge gap on the health and economic impacts of plastics in water supplies and call for more monitoring and policy development.
Occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in South African beverages
Researchers measured microplastic occurrence and characterized particles found in multiple South African beverages including bottled water, soft drinks, and juice, finding plastic contamination across all categories. The study assessed associated human dietary exposure from beverage consumption.
Plastic versus Glass: a view of the life cycle of the two controversial materials
This life cycle comparison of glass and plastic packaging examines their environmental costs at each production and disposal stage. The study helps inform decisions about which material has a lower overall environmental impact, including the downstream problem of plastic fragmenting into microplastics.
Abolishing Single-Use Plastic Water Bottles in Dubai Hotels as a Voluntary Act—Scenarios and Environmental Impacts
Researchers modeled environmental impact scenarios for abolishing single-use PET water bottles in Dubai hotels as a voluntary initiative, evaluating the potential reductions in plastic waste generation from the tourism sector. The study quantified the environmental benefits of transitioning to reusable alternatives, providing evidence to support voluntary plastic reduction policies in the hospitality industry.
PET Plastic in Food and Beverage Packaging Design: a Review of Legislation, Literature and Industry Reporting Comparing European and South African Industrial Practice
This review compares European and South African regulations and industry practices around PET plastic in food and beverage packaging, evaluating health and environmental implications. It highlights the need for stronger regulatory frameworks to manage plastic packaging risks, including microplastic leaching into food and drinks.
Global Bottled Water Industry: A Review of Impacts and Trends
This review assessed the global bottled water industry's environmental and social impacts, examining trends in consumption, plastic waste generation, and the implications for water resource management and sustainability.
Life Cycle Assessment of Banned Single-Use Plastic Products and Their Alternatives
Researchers conducted a life cycle assessment comparing banned single-use plastic products in Canada with their alternatives, including paper, cotton, and bioplastic options. They found that while banning plastics reduces plastic pollution, some alternatives have higher carbon footprints or water usage. The study suggests that effective policy needs to consider the full environmental impact of replacement materials, not just plastic waste reduction.
An Empirical Investigation on Plastic Waste Issues and Plastic Disposal Strategies to Protect the Environment: A UAE Perspective
An empirical investigation into plastic waste management in a developing country context found that rising volumes of plastic water bottles and single-use items are overwhelming municipal waste systems. The study documents disposal strategies used in practice and identifies infrastructure and policy gaps limiting effective plastic waste management.
Sources of Microplastic Contamination in PET Bottled Drinking Water: A Life Cycle Perspective
This study traces the sources of microplastic contamination in PET bottled drinking water across the product life cycle, identifying raw pellet spillage during shipping, manufacturing processes, bottle filling and capping operations, and bottle reuse as successive contamination pathways.
Paper Bags vis-à-vis LDPE Bags: Gleanings from Peer-reviewed E-LCA Publications
A life-cycle analysis review comparing paper bags to low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bags finds that paper bags generally have lower environmental impact across most categories, although LDPE performs better on water use metrics. The study touches on the microplastic problem as one reason to prefer paper, but its focus is broader environmental comparison rather than microplastic pollution specifically. The findings reinforce policy arguments for transitioning away from single-use plastic bags.
Roadmap to sustainable plastic waste management: a focused study on recycling PET for triboelectric nanogenerator production in Singapore and India
Researchers compared plastic waste recycling systems in Singapore and India to evaluate the potential for turning recycled PET plastic bottles into energy-harvesting devices, finding that each recycling cycle causes a roughly 30% drop in material performance and 65% loss in economic value, underscoring the need for stronger recycling infrastructure.
Sustainable Management of Microplastic Pollutions from PET Bottles: Overview and Mitigation Strategies
Researchers reviewed the environmental impact of PET bottle degradation and strategies for managing the resulting microplastic pollution. The study highlights that PET bottle usage continues to grow, and its breakdown releases low-molecular-weight compounds and microplastics, while outlining mitigation approaches including improved recycling and waste management practices.
Recycling of Plastics as a Strategy to Reduce Life Cycle GHG Emission, Microplastics and Resource Depletion
This study quantified the environmental benefits of recycling widely consumed plastic polymers, demonstrating that increased plastic recycling significantly reduces life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, microplastic pollution, and resource depletion.
The Effect of Different Storage Conditions for Refilled Plastic Drink Bottles on the Concentration of Microplastic Release in Water
Researchers investigated microplastic release from reused plastic water bottles under different storage conditions and timeframes, finding that bottle reuse and prolonged storage increase the concentration of microplastics released into the contained water.
Ensuring sustainability in plastics use in Africa: consumption, waste generation, and projections
This review examines plastic consumption, waste generation, and future projections for African nations, finding rapidly increasing plastic use alongside limited waste management infrastructure. The study calls for African-specific sustainability policies to prevent a major escalation in plastic pollution as economic development accelerates across the continent.
Mitigating Microplastic Contamination: Evaluating PET Water Bottles and the Role of PLA Plant-Based Bottles in a Circular Economy for Reduced CO2 Emissions
This study examined microplastic contamination from PET water bottles and evaluated polylactic acid as a sustainable alternative, finding that PLA bottles released fewer MPs and represented a more environmentally compatible packaging option within a circular economy framework.
Plasticless: a Comparative Life-cycle, Socio-economic, and Policy Analysis of Alternatives to Plastic Straws
A life-cycle analysis compared ten types of drinking straws, finding that while plastic straws have the highest environmental impact, some alternatives like glass and metal require significant energy to produce and clean. This analysis illustrates that no single-use plastic alternative is without environmental trade-offs.
Breaking the plastic cycle in Africa: Advancing sustainable solutions for single-use plastic reduction in marine ecosystem beyond current policies
This paper reviews the scale of single-use plastic pollution across Africa and evaluates current policies for reducing plastic waste in marine ecosystems. The analysis calls for stronger and more targeted interventions given Africa's rapidly growing plastic waste output and limited recycling infrastructure.
Determinants of single-use plastic bottled water consumption among university students: a cross-sectional study
A survey of university students found that convenience, habit, and accessibility were the primary drivers of single-use plastic bottled water consumption, with environmental knowledge having limited influence on behavior, suggesting that structural changes rather than awareness campaigns are needed to reduce plastic bottle use.