An environmental assessment of the life cycle of the plastic carrier bag in Zimbabwe

C. Mbohwa; G. Manjera

doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.18-19.501

An environmental assessment of the life cycle of the plastic carrier bag in Zimbabwe

C. Mbohwa
, G. Manjera

University of Zimbabwe

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Plastic carrier bags have gained popularity with Zimbabwean shoppers since they provide convenient carriage of groceries and related goods. However most of these have a short useful life and are often disposed into landfills or littered. This research was aimed at assessing the interaction between the High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic carrier bag life cycle and the environment, hence identifying specific life cycle stages that pose significant threats to the environment. The study was conducted in accordance with the ISO 14040 based Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The life cycle stages assessed include the extraction of HDPE, transportation of HDPE pellets, production of the bags, transportation of the finished goods to retailers and disposal scenarios. Improvement strategies were then identified to optimise the environmental performance of the plastic carrier bags.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Advances in Materials and Systems Technologies - International Conference on Engineering Research and Development
Subtitle of host publication	Impact on Industry, ICER and D 2006
Publisher	Trans Tech Publications
Pages	501-508
Number of pages	8
ISBN (Print)	9780878494507
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.18-19.501
Publication status	Published - 2007
Externally published	Yes
Event	International Conference on Engineering Research and Development: Impact on Industry, ICER and D 2006 - Benin, Nigeria Duration: 5 Sept 2006 → 7 Sept 2006

Publication series

Name	Advanced Materials Research
Volume	18-19
ISSN (Print)	1022-6680

Conference

Conference	International Conference on Engineering Research and Development: Impact on Industry, ICER and D 2006
Country/Territory	Nigeria
City	Benin
Period	5/09/06 → 7/09/06

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

Keywords

Environmental impacts
High Density Polyethylene
LCA
Plastic bags

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Engineering

Access to Document

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.18-19.501

Cite this

Mbohwa, C., & Manjera, G. (2007). An environmental assessment of the life cycle of the plastic carrier bag in Zimbabwe. In Advances in Materials and Systems Technologies - International Conference on Engineering Research and Development: Impact on Industry, ICER and D 2006 (pp. 501-508). (Advanced Materials Research; Vol. 18-19). Trans Tech Publications. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.18-19.501

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abstract = "Plastic carrier bags have gained popularity with Zimbabwean shoppers since they provide convenient carriage of groceries and related goods. However most of these have a short useful life and are often disposed into landfills or littered. This research was aimed at assessing the interaction between the High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic carrier bag life cycle and the environment, hence identifying specific life cycle stages that pose significant threats to the environment. The study was conducted in accordance with the ISO 14040 based Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The life cycle stages assessed include the extraction of HDPE, transportation of HDPE pellets, production of the bags, transportation of the finished goods to retailers and disposal scenarios. Improvement strategies were then identified to optimise the environmental performance of the plastic carrier bags.",

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Mbohwa, C & Manjera, G 2007, An environmental assessment of the life cycle of the plastic carrier bag in Zimbabwe. in Advances in Materials and Systems Technologies - International Conference on Engineering Research and Development: Impact on Industry, ICER and D 2006. Advanced Materials Research, vol. 18-19, Trans Tech Publications, pp. 501-508, International Conference on Engineering Research and Development: Impact on Industry, ICER and D 2006, Benin, Nigeria, 5/09/06. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.18-19.501

An environmental assessment of the life cycle of the plastic carrier bag in Zimbabwe. / Mbohwa, C.; Manjera, G.
Advances in Materials and Systems Technologies - International Conference on Engineering Research and Development: Impact on Industry, ICER and D 2006. Trans Tech Publications, 2007. p. 501-508 (Advanced Materials Research; Vol. 18-19).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

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AB - Plastic carrier bags have gained popularity with Zimbabwean shoppers since they provide convenient carriage of groceries and related goods. However most of these have a short useful life and are often disposed into landfills or littered. This research was aimed at assessing the interaction between the High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic carrier bag life cycle and the environment, hence identifying specific life cycle stages that pose significant threats to the environment. The study was conducted in accordance with the ISO 14040 based Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The life cycle stages assessed include the extraction of HDPE, transportation of HDPE pellets, production of the bags, transportation of the finished goods to retailers and disposal scenarios. Improvement strategies were then identified to optimise the environmental performance of the plastic carrier bags.

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KW - High Density Polyethylene

KW - LCA

KW - Plastic bags

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Mbohwa C, Manjera G. An environmental assessment of the life cycle of the plastic carrier bag in Zimbabwe. In Advances in Materials and Systems Technologies - International Conference on Engineering Research and Development: Impact on Industry, ICER and D 2006. Trans Tech Publications. 2007. p. 501-508. (Advanced Materials Research). doi: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.18-19.501

An environmental assessment of the life cycle of the plastic carrier bag in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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Cite this