Closed-Loop Plastic Recycling
Doctoral Student
Project Duration
2022 - 2026
Supervisor
Abstract
Plastic is a durable, lightweight, and affordable material that has become increasingly popular for packaging such as beverage bottles. However, while over external page 460 million tons of plastic is produced globally, external page only 9% is recycled. This exponential growth of mismanaged plastic contributes to the external page triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution-related impacts to human health.
While technical solutions for processing plastic waste exist, the ubiquity and short lifetimes of plastic packaging – from producers, manufacturers, and consumers – present external page logistical hurdles to implementing coordinated solutions. In low- and middle-income countries, where municipal solid waste management is limited, managing the growing influx of plastic waste is a major challenge – and an opportunity. Can transitioning to a circular economy approach recapture value from plastic waste, protect the environment, and benefit the community?
This project evaluates the feasibility of closed-loop reverse logistics for plastic bottles in collaboration with a local beverage manufacturer in Blantyre, Malawi. This research makes use of focus group discussions and surveys to understand local perceptions of plastic waste as well as a pilot program to collect and recycle plastic bottles. The goal of the plastic bottle recycling pilot is to analyse feasibility and possible scaling options within the city of Blantyre.
Research Questions
- What bottle payment price is needed for community participation in drop-off recycling of HDPE bottles at local collection sites?
- What is the amount of post-consumer recycled content from HDPE bottles that can currently be recycled into new bottles?
- What is the financial sustainability of the closed-loop recycling pilot for HDPE bottles?
Opportunities for student involvement
Yes! Check out opportunities to work with us and get in touch.
Collaborators
external page WASTE Advisers Malawi
external page Chibuku Products Ltd.
Publications
Media mentions in newspapers or YouTube etc
external page Presentation at the 2024 Blantyre Think Tank Networking Event hosted by WASTE Advisers
Blog post on participation at the United Nations Third Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) for the Global Plastics Treaty