ENV 3001 – Global Learning (GL) Assignment ✓ Solved

ENV 3001 – Global Learning (GL) Assignment

This assignment provides a brief background on materials use and waste management. There are three topics provided. Please select one topic only. The topics are:

• Environmental challenges
• Persistent waste materials in the environment (e.g., plastics, e-waste)
• Endangered elements

The assignment should be submitted via Canvas before the last class of the semester (Thursday June 12, 2020). Select only one of the topics and discuss the issue, developing an overview of the problem as described below. Your report should address the points indicated, including estimates of quantities, materials, and other relevant information. Limit your report to 2-4 pages (appendices allowed) including figures, tables, calculations, and references.

Background

Since the 1950s, technological advancements have accelerated, leading to rapid adoption of new products and replacement cycles, which pose challenges for materials supply and disposal management.

Topics

1. Environmental challenges

Select one of the following challenges and discuss it in detail:

• Fresh water shortages
• Aging infrastructure
• Energy demands
• Global warming
• New diseases
• Security
• Waste management
• Food production and distribution
• Livable communities
• Sustainability
• Climate change and adaptation
• Resource depletion

2. Persistent waste materials in the environment (e.g., plastics)

Discuss the decomposition characteristics of plastics, focusing on environmental stability, additives, and degradation rates. Select one type of plastic (PP, PS, PET, LDPE, HDPE, PVC) and elaborate on:

• Where it is used
• How much is used and disposed of
• Preliminary calculations for usage and discard rates

3. Endangered elements

Select one endangered element used in advanced consumer products and discuss:

• Where it is produced
• Where it is used
• Production and consumption rates
• Preliminary calculations for product usage and disposal involving these elements

Sample Paper For Above instruction

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Sample Paper: Persistent Waste Materials in the Environment - Polypropylene (PP)

Introduction

Plastic waste pollution poses a significant environmental challenge globally. Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most widely used plastics due to its versatility, durability, and cost-effectiveness. This paper explores the usage, disposal, and environmental impact of PP, with preliminary calculations to estimate annual consumption and waste generation.

Usage and Applications of Polypropylene

Polypropylene (PP) is utilized extensively across various industries, including packaging, automotive, textiles, and consumer goods. The packaging industry alone accounts for approximately 40% of global PP consumption, mainly in the form of bottles, caps, and flexible packaging materials (Khan et al., 2019). In the automotive sector, PP is used for interior components due to its durability (Naik et al., 2020).

Global Consumption and Waste Generation

It is estimated that the global production of PP reached approximately 75 million tons in 2022 (PlasticsEurope, 2022). Assuming a lifespan of 10 years for many PP products, a significant portion becomes waste after this period. Estimates suggest that about 60% of produced PP is discarded as waste, with most ending up in landfills or the environment (Shen et al., 2021). Given the global usage, the annual discard rate can be approximated.

Preliminary Calculations

Assuming annual global production of PP in 2022 is 75 million tons, and 60% is discarded within the same year, then:

Annual discard of PP = 75 million tons × 0.6 = 45 million tons.

This estimate implies that around 45 million tons of PP waste are generated each year, contributing significantly to environmental pollution, especially considering its longevity of over 100 years in landfills.

Environmental Impact and Degradation

PP is resistant to biodegradation, but environmental factors such as UV exposure and mechanical wear can lead to physical breakdown into microplastics, which persist in ecosystems (Geyer et al., 2017). Additives in PP, including stabilizers and anti-oxidants, can leach into the environment, posing risks to wildlife and humans (Zhan et al., 2018).

Conclusion

This overview underscores the vast scale of PP use and waste globally. Reducing waste, implementing effective recycling systems, and developing biodegradable alternatives are critical steps to mitigate the environmental impact of PP and other plastics.

References

• Geyer, R., Jambeck, J. R., & Law, K. L. (2017). Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made. Science Advances, 3(7), e1700782.
• Khan, M. R., et al. (2019). Applications and environmental impact of polypropylene. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 136(21), 473-483.
• Naik, P., et al. (2020). Use of polypropylene in automotive manufacturing. Materials Today Communications, 22, 100777.
• PlasticsEurope. (2022). Plastics – the facts 2022. An analysis of European plastics production, demand and waste data.
• Shen, L., et al. (2021). From waste to resource: Circular economy of plastics. Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 171, 105583.
• Zhan, Z., et al. (2018). Environmental and health impacts of plastic additives. Environmental Pollution, 236, 937-949.

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