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Life Cycle Assessment...

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COMPARATIVE LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF METAL, PAPER AND PLASTIC STRAWS

By

Conge, Mark Xam de Chavez, Gabriel Noel Lapira, Jose Marie San Miguel, RemelRenz

Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering At FEU Institute of Technology June/2019

Thesis/Project Adviser Alexis Mervin Sy

©2019 Conge, de Chavez,Lapira, San Miguel. All Rights Reserved i

The author/s grant FEU Institute of Technology permission to reproduce and distribute the contents of this document in whole or in part. ii

APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE SHEET The thesisentitled “Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Metal, Paper and Plastic Straws” prepared and submitted by: Conge, Mark Xam de Chavez, Gabriel Noel Lapira, Jose Marie San Miguel, RemelRenz

In partial fulfillment of the course requirement for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineeringhas been examined and is hereby recommended for approval.

___________________________ Engr. Jerome Lopena Panelist 1

_____________________________ Engr. Tony ReyEscalona Panelist 2

________________________ Dr. Manuel Belino Head Panelist

Accepted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. ___________________________ Engr. Alexis MervinSy Thesis/ Project Adviser

__________________________ Engr. Ivan HendersonGue Course Adviser

________________________ Engr. Jerome Lopena Department Head ________________________ Date

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TABLE OF CONTENTS COMPARATIVE LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF METAL, PAPER AND PLASTIC STRAWS..........................................................................................................................................i TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................................iv LIST OF TABLES.........................................................................................................................vii LIST OF FIGURES.........................................................................................................................x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.......................................................................................................xiii ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................................1 Chapter I..........................................................................................................................................2 INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2 1.1 Background of the Study........................................................................................................2 1.2 Significance of the Study.......................................................................................................5 1.3 Objectives...............................................................................................................................5 1.3.1 General Objective............................................................................................................5 1.3.2 Specific Objectives..........................................................................................................5 1.4 Scope and delimitations.........................................................................................................6 1.5 Conceptual Framework..........................................................................................................7 1.6 Definition of Terms................................................................................................................8 Chapter II.......................................................................................................................................12 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE......................................................................................12 2.1 Related Studies.....................................................................................................................12 2.1.1 Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Two Toasters..................................................12 2.1.2 Life Cycle Assessment of Plastic Bag Production........................................................14 2.1.3 Life Cycle Assessment for Three Types of Grocery Bags - Recyclable Plastic; Compostable, Biodegradable Plastic; and Recycled, Recyclable Paper................................17 2.1.4 Methods and guidelines for sensitivity analysis, including results for analysis on case studies.....................................................................................................................................20 2.2 Related Literature.................................................................................................................22 2.2.1 Life Cycle Assessment..................................................................................................22 2.2.2 Drinking Straws.............................................................................................................26 2.2.3 Recycling processes of plastic products........................................................................32 iv

2.2.4 Recycling processes of stainless steel...........................................................................35 2.2.5 Recycling process of paper straws................................................................................37 2.2.6 Impact categories...........................................................................................................37 2.2.7 Life Cycle Assessment Software...................................................................................39 2.2.8 Life Cycle Assessment Methodologies.........................................................................40 Chapter III......................................................................................................................................42 METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................................42 3.1 Life Cycle Assessment.........................................................................................................43 3.1.1 Life Cycle Assessment Tool..........................................................................................43 3.1.2 Life Cycle Impact Assessment Method.........................................................................43 3.2 Goal and Scope....................................................................................................................44 3.2.1. Functional Unit.............................................................................................................44 3.2.2. System Boundaries.......................................................................................................44 3.3 Inventory Analysis...............................................................................................................47 3.3.1 Plastic Straw System.....................................................................................................48 3.3.2 Metal Straws System Boundary....................................................................................50 3.3.3 Paper Straws System.....................................................................................................52 3.4 Impact Assessment...............................................................................................................53 3.4.1 Impact Categories..........................................................................................................54 3.4.2 Classification.................................................................................................................56 3.4.3 Characterization.............................................................................................................56 3.4.4 Normalization................................................................................................................57 3.4.5 Weighting.......................................................................................................................58 3.5. Interpretation.......................................................................................................................59 3.5.1 Uncertainty Analysis.....................................................................................................59 Chapter IV.....................................................................................................................................61 DATA AND DISCUSSION...........................................................................................................61 4.1 Inventory Analysis...............................................................................................................61 4.1.1 Process Flowcharts........................................................................................................61 4.1.2 Data...............................................................................................................................64 4.2 Impact Assessment Results and Interpretation.....................................................................69 v

4.2.1 Characterization Results for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws.............................69 4.2.2 Normalization Results for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws................................77 4.2.3 Weighting and Single Score Results for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws...........84 4.3 Uncertainty Analysis for Metal Straw..................................................................................97 4.4 Waste Collection Methods...................................................................................................98 4.4.1 Stainless Steel Collection Options................................................................................98 4.4.2 Paper Collection Options...............................................................................................98 4.4.3 Plastic Collection Options.............................................................................................99 Chapter V.....................................................................................................................................100 CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................100 Chapter VI....................................................................................................................................103 RECOMMENDATIONS.............................................................................................................103 Bibliography................................................................................................................................105 APPENDICES.............................................................................................................................109

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Impact Results of Heating Plate of the Two Toasters[13].................................................2

Table 2: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per 1000 grocery bags[17]..........................................2

Table 3: Solid waste from disposing to landfill based on 1000 unit of grocery bags[17]...............2

Table 4: Energy required for production, use, and disposal for 1000 units of grocery bags[17]....2

Table 5: The electricity required (MJ) for the production, use, and disposal for 1000 units of grocery bags[17]..............................................................................................................................2

Table 6: Required water supply for the production, use, and disposal of 1000 units of grocery bags[17]...........................................................................................................................................2

Table 7: Input Data for Plastic Straw...............................................................................................2

Table 8: Input Data for Metal Straw................................................................................................2

Table 9: Input Data for Paper Straw................................................................................................2

Table 10: Characterization Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 3 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw...........................................................................................2

Table 11: Characterization Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 5 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw...........................................................................................2

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Table 12: Characterization Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 10 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw...........................................................................................2

Table 13: Normalization Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 3 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw...........................................................................................2

Table 14: Normalization Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 5 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw...........................................................................................2

Table 15: Normalization Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 10 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw...........................................................................................2

Table 16: Single Score Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 3 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw......................................................................................................2

Table 17: Single Score Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 5 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw......................................................................................................2

Table 18: Single Score Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 10 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw...........................................................................................2

Table 19: Weighting Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 3 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw......................................................................................................2

Table 20: Weighting Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 5 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw......................................................................................................2

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Table 21: Weighting Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 10 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw......................................................................................................2

Table 22: Uncertainty Analysis Percentage Difference of Each Assessment Category for Metal Straw................................................................................................................................................2

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LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Conceptual Framework....................................................................................................2

Figure 2: Impact Assessment Results of Standard Toaster and Eco-Friendly Toaster.....................2

Figure 3: Comparative Visualization of Characterization Stage.....................................................2

Figure 4: Comparative Visualization of Normalization Stage.........................................................2

Figure 5: Comparative Visualization of Single Score Stage............................................................2

Figure 6: Normalized values............................................................................................................2

Figure 7: Weighted Values...............................................................................................................2

Figure 8: Flow Diagram...................................................................................................................2

Figure 9: System Boundaries Diagram............................................................................................2

Figure 10: Plastic Straw System Boundary.....................................................................................2

Figure 11: Metal Straw System Boundary.......................................................................................2

Figure 12: Paper Straw System Boundary.......................................................................................2

Figure 13: Plastic Straw Process Flow............................................................................................2

Figure 14: Metal Straw Process Flow..............................................................................................2

Figure 15: Paper Straw Process Flow..............................................................................................2 x

Figure 16: Characterization Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 3 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw...........................................................................................2

Figure 17: Characterization Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 5 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw...........................................................................................2

Figure 18: Characterization Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 10 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw...........................................................................................2

Figure 19: Normalization Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 3 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw...........................................................................................2

Figure 20: Normalization Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 5 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw...........................................................................................2

Figure 21: Normalization Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 10 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw...........................................................................................2

Figure 22: Single Score Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 3 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw......................................................................................................2

Figure 23: Single Score Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 5 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw......................................................................................................2

Figure 24: Single Score Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 10 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw...........................................................................................2

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Figure 25: Weighting Result for the Life Cycle of the Drinking Straws Based on 3 Years Usage Basis per Straw for Metal Straw................................