KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF MATERIALS ENGINEERING AND METALLURGICAL
ENGINEERING

RECYCLING AND REUSE OF PLASTIC WASTE FOR USEFUL PRODUCTS

NAME: ADDOTEI CLIFFORD NARTEY

INDEX NUMBER: 7429123
PROGRAM: METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING
DECEMBER 2024.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I give thanks to the Almighty God for giving me the wisdom,
knowledge and strength to undertake this project. I thank family and
friends for the support throughout this project. I also thank the
community members for their co-operation and involvement in this
special exercise. Special thanks to my supervisor, Dr. David Konadu
and the MATESA department for the guidance and instructions.

2|Page
 SUMMARY
The Suhum community has experienced and is experiencing severe
plastic waste crisis for some years now. This report investigates the
critical role of reuse and recycling of plastic waste in addressing the
consequences of improper plastic waste disposal and its various
impacts. As the community grows rapidly, the need for effective,
sustainable and efficient waste recycling strategies and schemes
becomes relevant to implement.
The report comprises a comprehensive study of various recycling
techniques ranging from traditional systems to innovative
approaches. It encompasses material characterization, thermal
processing, additive manufacturing, etc. in solving plastic waste crisis
in the community based on the metallurgical engineering discipline.

3|Page
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................. 2
SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................ 3
TABLE OF FIGURES ................................................................................................. 5
CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................ 6
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 6
PROJECT BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................... 7
PROBLEM STATEMENT ....................................................................................................... 7
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................... 8

METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................................................... 8
ONLINE RESEARCH ................................................................................................................. 8
MATERIALS AND TOOLS ..................................................................................................... 9
CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................... 10
COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................... 10
MAP PREPARATION............................................................................................................ 11
NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF PROBLEM .............................................. 11
CHARTS AND STATISTICS ................................................................................................ 12
CHAPTER FOUR ...................................................................................................... 14
AREA OF STUDY DESCRIPTION .................................................................................... 14
CHAPTER FIVE ......................................................................................................... 18
LITERATURE REVIEW ......................................................................................................... 18

4|Page
 UNDERSTANDING PLASTICS ......................................................................................... 18
RECYCLING PROCESSES .................................................................................................... 22
BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES ........................................................................................ 27
RECOMMENDATION FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT ..................................... 29
REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................... 29
APPENDIX ................................................................................................................................ 32

TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1. map of community .......................................................................................... 11
Figure 2.age category chart ........................................................................................... 12

Figure 3. chart on awareness of problem solution ......................................... 13

Figure 4.people’sawareness chart ............................................................................ 13

Figure 5. chart on possible solutions to problem ............................................ 13

Figure 6. plastic shoe rack ................................................................................................ 25
Figure 7.plastic waste bin ................................................................................................ 25
Figure 8. gardening in plastic containers .............................................................. 25
Figure 9. plastic table .......................................................................................................... 26
Figure 10. plastic bag ........................................................................................................... 26

5|Page
 CHAPTER ONE (1)
INTRODUCTION:

“As a doctor restores health, an engineer restores, creating

innovative solutions for everyday challenges”.
Engineering is the application of scientific, mathematical, and
practical knowledge to design, build, maintain, and improve
structures, machines, devices, systems, materials, and processes. It
involves using creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to
develop innovative solutions to real world problems.

CENG 291 (Engineering in society) is a course undertaken by first year

engineering students of KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE
AND TECHNOLOGY (KNUST) after their completion of first year
semester two (2). The course is purposely to instill into engineering
students the creativity and critical thinking abilities and to also to
challenge them in analyzing, identifying and proposing innovative
patterns to solve problems.

6|Page
PROJECT BACKGROUND:
Plastic are indispensable materials in our modern consumer society
with a wide range of applications. Over the years, due to the business-
oriented nature of Suhum, the demand for plastic has been rising,
producing great quantities of plastic products that often end up in
nature, causing potential hazards as it takes many years to
decompose. i.e. improper waste disposal contaminates waterways,
soil, and air, harming local ecosystems and wildlife; unpleasant living
conditions, pest attraction and spread of diseases.

Plastic waste has become a significant environmental concern in

Suhum, with millions of tons of plastic waste generated annually.
However, through recycling and reuse, plastic waste can be
transformed into valuable products, reducing waste disposal issues
and promoting sustainability.

PROBLEM STATEMENT:
Recycling and reuse of plastic waste for useful products.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

➢ To state the causes and consequences of improper plastic waste
disposal
➢ Proposing the potential sustainable and effective ways of
recycling and reuse of plastic waste
➢ To evaluate the existing recycling structure infrastructure and
policies for managing waste
➢ Sensitizing residents to embrace proposed solutions for the
➢ To provide recommendations for policymakers, and individuals
on how to reduce plastic waste, increase recycling rates, and
promote sustainable consumption patterns

7|Page
 CHAPTER TWO

METHODOLOGY
PROCEDURE
The report was collated by means of community engagement
regarding the challenges facing the community and brief discussions
about the community’s background. A questionnaire was conducted
prior to a survey that was carried out. Online research was done to
supplement and investigate the gravity of the problem as raised by the
community inhabitants. Statistical data, qualitative and quantitative
analysis are interpreted using graphs, maps, numbers and charts.

ONLINE RESEARCH:
The report defines the significance of new products derived from the
recycling and reuse of plastic waste as a potential factor to mitigate
the persistent problems posed by improper disposal of the plastic
waste. In spite of the readily available resources online and data
important to recycling and reuse strategies, online research played a
very relevant role in this study.
Roles:
• Accessing specialised databases for statistical data
• Using search engines with improved operators to identify
relevant sources
• Facilitates interdisciplinary research
• Provides evidence-based research, ensuring that information is
based on credible and reliable evidence

8|Page
Benefits:
• Unmatched access to diverse information exceeding traditional
libraries and archives
• Enables analysis of up-to-date information
• Provision of virtual labs allowing to conduct experiments and
investigations remotely

MATERIALS AND TOOLS:

The following materials and resources were used in collating data for
the project;
• Internet connectivity
• Laptop
• Phone for photography
• Book and pen

9|Page
 CHAPTER THREE (3)

COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION:
The Suhum municipality is one of the thirty-three districts in the
eastern region of Ghana. It was granted its present status by the
legislative instrument(LI) 2048 of 2012. It was carved from the then
Suhum – Kraboa - Coaltar, in the year 2012. Its capital is Suhum which
is situated along the Accra-Kumasi Highway.
The Suhum municipality is located in the south-central part of the
Eastern region of Ghana and covers a land area of about three
hundred and fifty-eight square kilometers(358km^2). It is bounded by
Akwapim north municipality to the East, Ayensuano district to the
west and south, Esat Akim municipality to the north and the New
Juaben north municipality to the north-east. It is only 60km northwest
of Accra on the busy Accra - Kumasi highway.
Its location makes it attractive for traders in both primary and
manufactured goods and an ideal place for farming because its
nearness to Tema and Accra, the largest market in the country.
The climate is the tropical type and the temperature ranges from 240C
to 290C. The hottest months used to be march and April while the
coolest months are December and January but there have deviations
in the seasons due the depletion of the ozone layer.
The municipality is predominantly a forest zone with few semi
savannah areas at the Northen part. The typical wet semi deciduous
forest vegetation covers about 70% of the total vegetation cover
across the municipality. The vegetation is therefore suitable for the
cultivation of cash crops like cocoa, rubber, oil palm and citrus as well
as staple foods such as cocoyam, plantain, maize, cassava and

10 | P a g e
vegetables. Most of these food crops are sold on the market, others
exported, which helps farmers, the district and country as a whole.
Conclusively, the municipality has very suitable conditions for the
development of agriculture and the lumber industry. This has helped
improve the infrastructure of Suhum making t able to cater for the
basic needs of its inhabitants. Educational and healthcare institutions
are some relevant amenities that foster development and
comfortable environment for growth and productivity.

Figure 1

NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROBLEM:

Waste disposal concerns are the problems facing Suhum,
particularly, the improper disposal of plastic waste due to the
increased population and the high demand of plastic in the

11 | P a g e
market and various settings. Several concerns including plastic
pollution in waterways, soil contamination and loss of
biodiversity among others have been raised with regards to
the issue of improper plastic disposal due to fewer waste bins
and no effort to implement innovative schemes of addressing
the problem. The community is retrogressing as a result of
affected lands of farmers infiltrated by plastics, increased
health cases due to pollution of water bodies etc.

CHARTS AND STATISTICS

The chart below shows the ages of individuals that participated in the
survey, their experiences of the possible solutions in addressing the
challenge , how intense the challenge is, and their willingness to
address the problem.

AGE CATEGORY

7% 9%
7%

10%

67%

Under 18 18 - 24 25 - 34 35 - 44 45 or older

Figure 2

12 | P a g e
 AWARENESS OF SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

9%

9%

36%

46%

Very Aware Aware Neutral Unaware

Figure 3

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS WILLINGNESS TO ADDRESS

Recycling
PROBLEM
and Reuse 2%
12%

Installation/ 32%
Upgrade of
waste 42%
collection
system
Educating 55%
or
sensitizing
residents
9% 44%
Others
4%

Unsupportive Neutral Supportive Very supportive

Figure 5 Figure 4

13 | P a g e
 CHAPTER FOUR
AREA OF STUDY DESCRIPTION
METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING:
Metallurgical engineering is a domain of materials science that studies
the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their inter –
metallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are known as alloys.
Metallurgy encompasses both science and the technology of metals,
including the production of metals and the engineering of metal
components used in products for both consumers and manufacturers.
Metallurgy is one of the most important branches of engineering as
modern applications nowadays require material with high strength
and low weight along other factors. Metallurgical engineers extract,
refine and recycle metals. They solve problems such as reducing
corrosion, maintaining heat levels and increasing the strength of the
product. Metallurgical engineers improve metals that are used in
defense, healthcare, transportation etc.

BRANCHES OF METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING

The three main branches of metallurgical engineering are:
1. Physical metallurgy, which deals with creating metallic alloys and
solving metallurgy-related problems.
2. Extractive metallurgy, which focuses on extracting metals from
ores.
3. Mineral processing, which involves extracting products from the
earth’s crust

APPLICATION OF METALLURGY
Material Characterization:
• Metallurgical engineering involves extensive material
characterization techniques, such as spectroscopy, microscopy,

14 | P a g e
 and thermal analysis. These techniques can be adapted to
analyze the composition and properties of various plastics,
helping to identify and sort different types of plastics accurately
for recycling.
Separation Processes:
• Similar to ore beneficiation in metallurgy, physical and chemical
separation techniques can be employed to separate different
types of plastics from mixed waste streams. Methods such as
flotation, magnetic separation (for plastic-metal composites),
and density-based separation can be optimized for plastic waste.
Thermal Processing:
• Metallurgical engineers have expertise in thermal processing
techniques such as pyrolysis and gasification. These methods can
be used to convert plastic waste into valuable products like
synthetic fuels, chemicals, and monomers for new plastic
production, thereby closing the loop in the plastic lifecycle.
Recycling Processes:
• Techniques like smelting and refining in metallurgy can inspire
advanced plastic recycling processes. For instance, developing
processes to depolymerize plastics back into their monomers or
other useful chemicals can be analogous to metallurgical
refining.
Additive Manufacturing:
• Knowledge of alloys and composite materials in metallurgy can be
applied to develop new plastic composites that are easier to recycle
or have enhanced properties, thereby extending their lifecycle and
reducing waste.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
• Metallurgical engineers use LCA to assess the environmental
impact of metals from extraction to disposal. This methodology

15 | P a g e
 can be applied to plastics to evaluate and minimize the
environmental footprint of plastic products through better
design, recycling, and reuse strategies.
Sustainable Materials Design:
• Metallurgical engineering emphasizes designing materials for
sustainability and recyclability. Similar principles can be applied
to plastics to develop materials that are easier to recycle, have a
lower environmental impact, or are biodegradable.
Catalysis and Chemical Recycling:
• Catalytic processes used in metallurgy for refining metals can be
adapted to break down plastics into their chemical constituents.
Catalytic depolymerization can convert plastics into useful
chemicals or monomers that can be repolymerized into new
plastics.
Electrochemical Methods:
• Electrochemical processes used in metallurgical extraction and
refining can inspire novel methods for plastic recycling. For
example, electrochemical depolymerization of plastics could
offer a clean and efficient recycling pathway.
Waste-to-Energy Technologies:
• Metallurgical engineers often work on converting waste
materials into energy. Similar approaches can be used to convert
plastic waste into energy through processes like incineration
with energy recovery, ensuring that even non-recyclable plastics
are utilized efficiently.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM:
According to the principles of material characterization, separation
process, thermal processing, and recycling processes among others,

16 | P a g e
several sustainable, achievable and innovative concepts have been
collated to address the issue of plastic waste in Suhum.

17 | P a g e
 CHAPTER FIVE
LITERATURE REVIEW
Plastic waste has become a great and significant environmental
concern worldwide, with billions of tons of plastic ending up in
landfills, oceans, and other natural environments each year among
which Suhum is no exception. However, the potential for recycling and
reusing plastic waste presents a promising solution to this pressing
issue. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the various
methods and approaches for recycling and reusing plastic waste to
create useful products.

UNDERSTANDING PLASTICS
Plastic, polymeric material that has the capability of being molded or
shaped, usually by the application of heat and pressure. This property
of plasticity, often found in combination with other special properties
such as low density, low electrical conductivity, transparency, and
toughness, allows plastics to be made into a great variety of products.
These include tough and lightweight beverage bottles made
of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), flexible garden hoses made
of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), insulating food containers made of
foamed polystyrene, and shatterproof windows made of polymethyl
methacrylate.
Plastic waste can be categorized into different types, each with outs
own unique properties and challenges for recycling. Not all the plastics
are equally recycled. It will depend not only on its characteristics but
also additives that are contained in those plastics (e.g., chemicals,
fibers, etc.). Furthermore, collection processes are one of the main
limiting factors to further increase the number of plastics that can be
recycled.

18 | P a g e
 POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE (PET)
PET is a dimensionally stable thermoplastic
with excellent machining characteristics. It is
clear, tough and solvent resistant. Commonly
present in: beverage bottles, microwavable
trays, and fibers for clothing. PET items are
highly recyclable; however, proper collection
is instrumental to avoid cross-contamination
from other materials
HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (HDPE)
HDPE is a versatile, high-impact, lightweight
thermoplastic with an excellent chemical
resistance and high tensile strength.
Commonly present in: milk and detergent
bottles, plastic bags, toys, pipes and
furniture. Although HDPE is highly recyclable,
only 10-15% is recycled in Europe as, due to
its softness, it needs to be sorted from harder fractions of plastics
before treatment.

VINYL/POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (V/PVC)

High corrosion resistant plastic, hard, rigid,
can be clear, can be solvent welded.
Commonly present in: blister pack/clamshell
pack and window frames. Easy to separate by
conventional processes, however recycling is
limited due to the presence of some additives
(e.g., chlorine, cadmium, lead).

19 | P a g e
 LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (LDPE)
Soft flexible plastic with excellent abrasion,
chemical and impact resistance. Commonly
present in: squeezable bottles, shrink wrap,
bread bags, frozen food bags, wire and cable
applications. Generally recyclable however,
due to its softness, it needs to be previously
sorted from harder fractions of plastics and
treated in adequate recycling processes.

POLYPROPYLENE (PP)
It is an economical, lightweight thermoplastic
that offers high corrosion, abrasion and
impact resistance. Commonly present in:
yogurt and margarine containers, bottle caps,
ketchup bottles, food packaging, reusable
containers and plant pots. PP items are highly
recyclable; however, recycling is limited due to difficulties in
collection, contamination and mixture with other materials (e.g.,
colorants).

POLYSTYRENE (PS) AND EXPANDED

POLYSTYRENE (EPS)
While PS is clear, glassy, rigid, brittle, opaque
and melts at 95°C, EPS is foamed, lightweight,
energy absorbing and heat insulating.
Commonly present in: meat/poultry trays,
plastic foam cups/plates, CD cases, plastic
cutlery, eyeglasses frames, video and CD

20 | P a g e
cases, and egg boxes. Generally recyclable, however its low density
makes it difficult to process through conventional recycling processes.

MISCELLANEOUS PLASTICS
Other plastics such as bioplastics or plastics
formed by a combination of resins or multi-
materials of unknown composition (e.g., oven
baking bags, some reusable water bottles,
plastics for automotive, aircraft, medical parts,
etc.). Rarely recycled as they are not compatible
with conventional recycling processes due to the variability of its
properties.

RECYCLING PROCESSES
The recycling of plastic waste involves several key processes including:

COLLECTION AND SORTING

Effective recycling starts with the collection and sorting of plastic
waste, which are critical steps for ensuring the efficiency and quality
of the recycling process.
▪ Collection: Plastic waste is gathered from various sources, such
as households, businesses, and public spaces. Effective
collection systems include curbside pickup programs, drop off
centers, and deposit refund schemes that incentivize the return
of used plastics.
▪ Sorting: After collection, plastics are sorted by type. This can be
done manually or using automated systems like near-infrared
(NIR) spectroscopy, which can identify different types of plastics
based on their chemical composition. Proper sorting is crucial as

21 | P a g e
 mixing different types of plastics can reduce the quality and
value of the recycled materials.

CLEANING AND PREPROCESSING

Once sorted, plastic waste must be cleaned and preprocessed to
prepare it for recycling.
▪ Cleaning: Plastics are washed to remove contaminants such as
food residues, dirt, and labels. This step is essential to ensure
that the recycled plastic is free from impurities that can affect its
quality.
▪ Preprocessing: This involves shredding the plastics into small
pieces to facilitate further processing. For some types of
recycling, plastics may also be melted into pellets or flakes. This
preprocessing step makes it easier to handle and process the
plastic waste in subsequent stages.

REPROCESSING
The preprocessed plastic waste is then reprocessed using various
techniques to create new plastic products. The main methods of
reprocessing include:
▪ Mechanical processing: This involves melting and remolding
plastics into new products. It’s the most common method of
recycling and is suitable for thermoplastics, which can be
melted and reformed multiple times. However, the quality of
the recycled plastic can degrade with each cycle due to
thermal and mechanical stress.
▪ Chemical Recycling: This method breaks down plastics into
their monomers or other basic chemicals using chemical
reactions. These monomers can then be purified and
polymerized again to create new plastics with properties
comparable to virgin plastics. Chemical recycling can handle

22 | P a g e
 contaminated and mixed plastics better than mechanical
recycling.
▪ Thermal Recycling: Also known as pyrolysis, this process
involves heating in the absence of oxygen to break them
down into smaller molecules, which can be used as feedstock
▪ for fuels or new plastics. This method can process a wide
range of plastics, including those that are difficult to recycle
mechanically.

PRODUCT MANUFACTURING
The final stage of the recycling process involves using the recycled
plastic materials to manufacture new products. This step can include:
• Injection Molding: Melted plastic is injected into molds to create
a variety of products, from bottles and containers to automotive
parts and toys.
• Extrusion: Melted plastic is forced through a die to create
continuous shapes, such as pipes, sheets, or films, which can be
cut to the desired length.
• Blow Molding: This technique is used to create hollow plastic
products, such as bottles and containers, by inflating a molten
plastic tube inside a mold until it takes the shape of the mold.
• 3D Printing: Recycled plastic filaments can be used in 3D printers
to create complex and customized products, from household
items to industrial components.

INNOVATIVE REUSE APPROACHES

In addition to traditional recycling methods, there are also innovative
approaches to reusing plastic waste for the creation of useful
products. These include:
• Upcycling: Transforming plastic waste into higher-value
products, such as fashion accessories, home decor items, or

23 | P a g e
 even building materials. Upcycling often involves creative design
and craftsmanship to give new life to waste materials.
• Plastic-to-Fuel Conversion: Utilizing thermal or chemical
processes to convert plastic waste into fuels, such as diesel or
gasoline, which can be used as an alternative energy source. This
approach helps recover energy from plastics that are otherwise
difficult to recycle.
• Biodegradable Plastic Alternatives: Developing new types of
plastic that are biodegradable or compostable, reducing the
environmental impact of plastic waste. These alternatives are
designed to break down more quickly and safely in natural
environments.
• Plastic-Based Construction Materials: Incorporating recycled
plastic waste into the production of construction materials, such
as bricks, tiles, or insulation panels. These materials can be more
durable and environmentally friendly compared to traditional
building materials.

24 | P a g e
 Here are some products from recycled and reused plastic materials;

Figure 6
Figure 7

Figure 8

25 | P a g e
Figure 9

Figure 10

26 | P a g e
BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES
Benefits
• Reduced Environmental Impact: Recycling and reusing
plastics help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in
landfills and oceans, mitigating pollution and protecting
wildlife.
• Conservation of Natural Resources: By recycling plastics,
we can reduce the need for raw materials, such as
petroleum, which are used to produce new plastics. This
helps conserve natural resources and reduce carbon
emissions.
• Economic Opportunities: The recycling industry can
create jobs and stimulate economic growth by providing
raw materials for manufacturing and reducing waste
management costs.
• Public Health Improvements: Reducing plastic waste in
the environment decreases the amount of plastic debris
and microplastics that can enter the food chain and water
sources, leading to potential health benefits for humans
and wildlife. Less plastic pollution can lead to fewer toxins
released into the air and water, contributing to overall
better public health.
• Reduction of Landfill Use: Recycling and reusing plastics
reduce the volume of waste that ends up in landfills,
extending their lifespan and reducing the need for new

27 | P a g e
 landfill sites. This helps preserve land and reduce the
environmental impact of waste disposal.
Challenges
However, there are also significant challenges, such as:
• Improved Collection and Sorting Systems: Effective
recycling requires efficient collection and sorting systems
to ensure that plastics are properly segregated and
prepared for recycling.
• Development of More Efficient Recycling Technologies:
Advancements in recycling technologies are needed to
improve the efficiency and quality of recycled plastics,
making them more competitive with virgin plastics.
• Consumer Behavior and Attitudes: Encouraging
consumers to participate in recycling programs and adopt
more sustainable behaviors is essential for the success of
plastic recycling initiatives.

CONCLUSION
The recycling and reuse of plastic waste present a crucial opportunity
to address the plastic waste crisis in Suhum and the global society as
well. By implementing comprehensive strategies that leverage
innovative technologies and approach, plastic waste can be
transformed into into valuable resources for use in the society and
create a more sustainable future.

28 | P a g e
RECOMMENDATION FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
In order to effectively address plastic waste crisis in Suhum, the
following factors can be considered;
✓ Enhanced Sorting Technologies: Invest in AI and machine
learning technologies to improve the accuracy and efficiency of
plastic sorting.
✓ Chemical Recycling Advancements: Promote research in
chemical recycling methods to break down plastics into basic
monomers for high-quality recycling.
✓ Standardization and Labeling: Implement standardized labeling
systems to help consumers easily identify and sort plastics for
recycling.
✓ Biodegradable Plastics Development: Support the
development and use of biodegradable plastics to reduce
environmental impact.
✓ Public Awareness and Education: Increase public education
campaigns about the importance of recycling and proper sorting
practices.
✓ Circular Economy Policies: Encourage policies that promote a
circular economy, focusing on durability, reuse, and recyclability
of products.
✓ Collaboration and Partnerships: Foster collaboration between
governments, industry, and research institutions to share
innovations and resources.

29 | P a g e
 ✓ Lifecycle Analysis and Sustainability Metrics: Develop
comprehensive lifecycle analyses to evaluate the environmental
impact of plastics and recycling processes.
✓ Infrastructure Investment: Increase investment in recycling
infrastructure, especially in regions with low recycling rates.

REFERENCES
1. Definition of engineering, https://en.wikipedia.org, accessed
December 4, 2024
2. Community description, https://suma.gov.gh/>, accessed
December 4, 2024
3. Metallurgical engineering, princetonreview.com, December
4, 2024
4. Material Characterization:
Callister, W. D., & Rethwisch, D. G. (2020). Materials Science
and Engineering: An Introduction. Wiley. This textbook covers
various material characterization techniques that can be
applied to plastics.
5. Separation Processes:
Gupta, C. K., & Yan, D. S. (2006). Mineral Processing Design and
Operation: An Introduction. Elsevier. This book provides
insights into separation processes used in metallurgy that can
be adapted for plastic waste.
6. Thermal Processing:
Conesa, J. A., Font, R., Fullana, A., & Martín-Gullón, I. (2003).
"Pyrolysis of Polyethylene in a Fluidized Bed Reactor." Energy &
Fuels, 17(3), 712-718. This paper discusses the pyrolysis of
plastics, a technique analogous to thermal processing in
metallurgy.
7. Recycling Processes:
Hopewell, J., Dvorak, R., & Kosior, E. (2009). "Plastics recycling:
challenges and opportunities." Philosophical Transactions of
the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 364(1526), 2115-2126.
This article explores advanced recycling processes for plastics.

30 | P a g e
8. Additive Manufacturing:
Gu, D. (2015). Laser Additive Manufacturing of High-
Performance Materials. Springer. This book discusses the
principles of additive manufacturing, which can be applied to
plastics.
9. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA):
Guinée, J. B. (Ed.). (2002). Handbook on Life Cycle Assessment:
Operational Guide to the ISO Standards. Springer. This
handbook covers LCA methodologies applicable to both metals
and plastics.
10. Sustainable Materials Design:
Ashby, M. F. (2012). Materials and the Environment: Eco-
informed Material Choice. Butterworth-Heinemann. This book
discusses sustainable materials design principles.
11. Catalysis and Chemical Recycling:
Rahimi, A., & García, J. M. (2017). "Chemical recycling of waste
plastics for new materials production." Nature Reviews
Chemistry, 1(6), 0046. This review article covers catalytic
depolymerization and other chemical recycling methods for
plastics.
12. Electrochemical Methods:
Chen, M., & Wang, L. (2020). "Electrochemical recycling of
waste plastics." Green Chemistry, 22(14), 4300-4312. This
paper explores electrochemical methods for recycling plastics.
13. Waste-to-Energy Technologies:
Arena, U. (2012). "Process and technological aspects of
municipal solid waste gasification. A review." Waste
Management, 32(4), 625-639. This review covers waste-to-
energy technologies applicable to plastic waste.

31 | P a g e
APPENDIX
What age category do you belong?
Under 18
18-24
25-34
35-44
45 or older

What is your gender?

Male
Female
Prefer not to say

How familiar are you with the community?

Very familiar
Somewhat familiar
Not very familiar
Not familiar at all

Are there sufficient community resources, amenities

and/or facilities in the community?
Yes
No
Maybe
Somewhat

32 | P a g e
What is the main problem facing the community?
Improper disposal of waste (plastic waste)
Poor building structures
Improper functioning of street light
Poor road network
Traffic congestion

Which challenge poses a lot of threat on the living

conditions of the community and need to be addressed
with immediate effect?
Poor road networks
Corroded and rusted roofing
Improper functioning of street light
Traffic congestion
Improper disposal of plastic waste

How challenging is the problem chosen above?

Not challenging at all
Somewhat challenging
Neutral
Challenging
Very challenging
Extremely challenging

33 | P a g e
How aware are you of the possible solutions for
addressing the issue of improper plastic disposal in
Suhum?
Very aware
Aware
Neutral
Unaware

What are the possible solutions that you know or have

heard of in addressing the problem?
Recycling and Reuse
Installing or upgrading waste collection systems
Educating or sensitizing residents
Other:

How supportive are you to implement the solution

chosen above?
Unsupportive
Neutral
Supportive
Very supportive

Your feedback is very valuable. Please feel free to add

any further comments.
This concludes the questionnaire. Thank you for
participating.

34 | P a g e