Browsing by Author "Nell, Charlotte"

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    A critical view of applying life cycle assessment on disposable diapers in a rural context
    (Academy of Science of South Africa, 2025) Chitaka, Takunda Y.; Schenck, Catherina; Nell, Charlotte
    The environmental impacts of disposable diapers in comparison to reusable diapers have been a matter of interest within the life cycle assessment (LCA) community for many years. However, the majority of LCAs have been conducted in developed countries with well-developed waste management infrastructure. This study takes a critical view of the application of LCA to evaluate the environmental impacts of disposable diapers in rural areas. In the study area, the majority of diapers were openly dumped (43.8%), sent to unsanitary landfills (26.1%) or burned (18.6%). The production phase contributed the most to the majority of impact categories, excluding freshwater exotoxicity, marine exotoxicity and human carcinogenic toxicity. These impacts were instead dominated by end-of-life impacts and also had the highest relative significance when normalisation was conducted. The lack of and/or poor waste management has resulted in the end of life of diapers being a significant environmental risk. However, current life cycle impact methodologies are not able to fully cover the scope of impacts presented by mismanaged diaper waste. This study demonstrates the importance of geographical contexts when conducting diaper LCAs wherein, in some scenarios, it may be necessary to include impacts beyond the scope of a traditional LCA. significance: • This is the first LCA conducted on diapers in the rural context of Africa. • The majority of impacts were attributed to the production of disposable diapers. • The majority of disposable diapers were dumped or sent to unsanitary landfills.
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    Researching a Deposit Return System for South Africa
    (University of the Western Cape, 2024) Grant, Andy; Elliott, Laurence; Ainger, Nicola; Schenck, Catherina; Nell, Charlotte; Flatman, Tom; Grobler, Lizette; Van Hille, Rob; Blaauw, Derick; Edwards, Bonte; Chandewar, Vedashree; Kaminska, Magdalena; Loots, Olivia
    The University of the Western Cape (UWC) in association with Eunomia Research & Consulting Ltd. (Eunomia) is pleased to announce the findings of a study on the feasibility, cost, and impact of a proposed mandatory single-use beverage Deposit Return System (DRS) for South Africa. The study was co-funded by the Norwegian Embassy and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (Alliance). The report provides a tailored DRS for single-use beverage packaging designed to meet the needs of South Africa. The report indicates that under such a system, collection rates for beverage containers can increase significantly, particularly for plastic bottles and glass bottles. A deposit level of ZAR 1 could achieve collection rates as high as 90% – higher than South Africa’s existing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) targets. An important aspect of this study has been on-the-ground research into key aspects that define the South African context. This involved engaging with the informal economy through waste reclaimer interviews and workshops, as well as surveying Buy Back Centres (BBCs) – which purchase recyclable materials from waste reclaimers and other suppliers – and informal retailers and HORECA establishments. The research undertaken for this study also included a market overview consisting of field surveys and data analysis, and a literature review of South African legislation and DRS/EPR legislation from nations in Africa and beyond. In terms of environmental impact, the DRS is projected to deliver a substantial net reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, ranging from 119 to 294 thousand tonnes CO2e per year. These reductions are expected on both the low and high placed-on-the-market (PoM) baselines and across two return route scenarios.
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    A three-pronged approach to waste composition determination
    (Elsevier, 2022-02-01) Nell, Charlotte; Schenck, Catherina; Blaauw, Derick; Grobler, Lizette; Viljoen, Kotie
    Understanding solid waste composition has frequently been cited as one of the most valuable resources to those responsible for the proper management of solid waste. The unique contribution of this article lies in the fact that a waste characterisation study, conducted in a remote rural town in South Africa, was combined with an illegal dumping contents mapping and a household survey. This enabled researchers to gain a more thorough understanding of household waste management practices and challenges in this community, bridging the knowledge gap that is created when illegal dumping and household perceptions are omitted from waste characterisation studies in study areas where illegal dumping is an ongoing concern. The study therefore contributes to understanding the waste behaviour of households within the larger context of the town's waste management practices. Results indicate that, in order for municipalities to fully understand how to manage their waste, the contents of illegal dumping, where present, and household surveys should also be included in waste characterisation assessments.