Life cycle assessment of plastic waste management in Mozambique

Abstract

Low-income coastal nations such as Mozambique grapple with providing sustainable and effective management of plastic waste (PW), which influences the increase in disease prevalence and of diverse adverse environmental impacts, primarly terrestrial and marine pollution. About 490,000 tons, from domestic generation and imports, make up the total PW in the system. In this study, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was employed to clarify the associated environmental impacts of 1 kg of PW within the waste management system in Mozambique. It was explained that over 95% of PW ended up in open dumpsites, with about 60% open burned, significantly impacting the ecotoxicity and global warming categories—5.49 kg of 1,4-dichlorobenzene (1,4-DCB) for terrestrial ecotoxicity, 4.99 kg of 1,4-DCB for human non-carcinogenic ecotoxicity, and 1.57 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂ eq) for global warming potential. The findings provide a quantitative baseline understanding of PW management impacts in the country, thus identifying junctures and opportunities that can help inform and enable the development of policies and strategies for a sustainable PW management system.

Graphical abstract