Assessment of plastic waste generation and its feasibility for establishment of plastic waste refinery

Plastics are man-made long-chain high polymeric compounds which have long-lasting effects on environment and human health. One of the most concerning issues of plastic is related with their associated chemicals and their subsequent effects upon release on ecological resources and human beings. The current study was conducted with the purpose to assess the composition of solid waste generation in general and plastic waste generation in particular. The study further examines the potentials of plastic waste refinery in district Peshawar (Pakistan) with its cost management and possible potentials to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. Average per capita waste generation for Peshawar City was found to be 0.46 kg/cap/day, while the physical composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) intimated that food waste is the major component generated with an average of 0.257 kg/cap/day (52% of the total MSW) followed by plastic waste as the second major component with an average of 0.077 kg/cap/day (16%). The total volume of plastic waste was found to be 330 tons/day in the study area. It has been estimated that the establishment of plastic waste refinery for 330 tons of plastic waste can save an amount of 66,725,340 rupees/annum along with generation of 551/month mgwt energy and reduction of 41.08 GHGT/year greenhouse gases emission. The findings of this study will be helpful for the concerned departments and decision-makers for establishment of plastic waste refineries for sustainable plastic waste management. © 2021, Saudi Society for Geosciences.