Operational performance and eco-efficiency of bag production from recycled and rejected tetra pack material in ugong, pasig city, Philippines

Abstract

© 2018, International Society for Southeast Asian Agricultural Sciences. All rights reserved. Operational performance and ecological efficiency of bags made from recycled and factory-rejected tetra packs were evaluated to determine their impact on the environment, particularly on water and air. A total of 81 (41% of the total active members of the KILUS Multi-Purpose Cooperative (KILUS) respondents were personally interviewed on the details of their production processes including wastes generation and management. The process flow of production from two kinds of materials (used tetra pack and factory-rejected tetra pack material) as well as the inputs to and outputs from various production stages were determined. Bag production using both materials was found to be profitable. Used tetra packs are washed three times before bag production and laboratory testing of waste water from the three washes was conducted to determine their biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), E. coli, pH, total nitrogen and total phosphorus. Water before washing was also laboratory-tested to serve as control. Laboratory results revealed greater than normal BOD but such is easily remediable by performing another round of washing before proceeding with the production process. KILUS as the producer should also ensure that waste water from the first three washes is used only for watering ornamental plants and not food crops. Contaminated water should be prevented from reaching a body of water without proper treatment for reduction of BOD. On the other hand, waste water from the fourth wash can be released anywhere else.

Source or Periodical Title

Journal of the International Society for Southeast Asian Agricultural Sciences

ISSN

8593132

Page

56-69

Document Type

Article

Subject

Environmental impact, Recycling, Waste management

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