Analysis of Sustainability and Energy Efficiency: Report

This report presents a comprehensive analysis of sustainability and energy efficiency, focusing on the environmental impact of plastic and metal products in Australia. The executive summary highlights the need for sustainable development and the importance of addressing climate change. The introduction emphasizes the significance of life cycle assessment (LCA) in evaluating product impacts, particularly concerning plastic and metal waste. The problem statement focuses on the adverse effects of plastic and metal mugs, identifying them as non-biodegradable and emphasizing the need for proper disposal strategies to prevent environmental damage. The report outlines the LCA process, including goal definition, inventory analysis, impact assessment, and interpretation. It compares plastic and metal mugs, assessing their mass and functional units. The impact analysis highlights the non-biodegradable nature of plastic and metal, recommending recycling and banning plastic utensils. The best replacement is identified as metal mugs due to their recyclability and lower emissions. The report also includes an energy efficiency analysis of radio usage, examining its environmental sustainability. The analysis covers the average lifetime and effectiveness of radio as a communication medium in Australia. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and recommending sustainable practices for both product choices and energy consumption.

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SYSTEMS SUSTAINABILITY AND EFFICIENCY OF ENERGY
Name of student:
Name of institution:
Date:

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Executive Summary
In recent times, the United Nations looked forward regarding the initiation procedure
which tends to mobilize the states for the adoption of the sustainable goals associated with the
development (General Assembly, 2015). The aim that this government seeks to achieve by this
initiative is that the government will be able to align the projects of development towards the
previously set development goals of sustainability. In addition to this it is also depicted that the
projects which are adhered by the government must assure the availability of the resources in the
overall project execution procedure.
The significant priority that is identified in most of the countries is the contest against the
changes in the climate (Gifford, 2011). Many cases regarding the antagonistic conditions of the
weather, the increase in the sea levels as well as strong storms are reported previously.
Henceforth, it is the due responsibility of everyone to participate for the realization of the
environment in the global standards.
With the completion of this report, it can be significantly identified that the students will
be provided with an opportunity regarding the contribution of the solutions to the issues that are
to be addressed. Moreover, a student is anticipated regarding the conduction of the analysis
regarding its life cycle, to focus in the two most important products that are selected on the basis
of the masses within Australia. The most significant area that is focused at the time of analysis
for the identification of the effects regarding the usage of those things in the environment.
However, on the basis of the product’s environmental aspects, a student seeks forward, thus
recommending the product over the other products available in the market.

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Both of the important considerations that are likely to be the initial as well as the
maintenance costs are considered by the student, when the analysis is to be carried out. In
addition to this the product efficiency is also evaluated within this analysis. On the basis of the
parameters, the product suitability decision is carried out. The identified suitable product is the
one which possess most significant features that are analyzed with the help of the findings.
Moreover, the plastic as well as metals are both depicted as the non-biodegradable
products. The disposal strategies regarding this products must be significantly undertaken for the
goodness of the environment. Thus the correct as well as effective disposal strategies must be
adhered by the government for the effectiveness and welfare of the environment.
Introduction
In regards to the researches that are previously conducted it is depicted that there are
several areas present in the country of Australia that plastic fragments are present within the
water surfaces (Reisser, et al., 2013). In accordance to the researches it is found that these
fragments are found as a result of the deprivation of the big particles of polypropylene as well as
polyethylene. This is probably said as a significant indication as it is identified that plastic
products are continuously contaminating the environment. Thus it is necessary for adhering
drastic as well as effective measures to cope with this vice. The most significant way that is to be
undertaken to mitigate these challenges is that to conduct a critical analysis regarding the life
cycle. This will further help to identify the potential threats which are portrayed in the
environment with the usage of this products and thus it is important to undertake necessary
measures for addressing this type of issues.

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There has been a significant number of analysis that has been conducted on the life cycle
of plastics throughout the years (Lazarevic, et al., 2010). This goes same for the metallic items
present in Earth. Both of the manufacturers as well as regulators are found interesting in this type
of analysis. This is due to the reason that the information gained from this type of analysis will
be significantly important regarding the formation of the policy as well as making the decisions.
Moreover, the countries like Rwanda, Kenya and many more has taken an initiative regarding the
ban on the usage of the products such a plastic bags, identifying the negative effects in the
drainage system of the respective countries (Citizen Digital, 2019). Both the above stated
countries have depicted that, for the previous usage of the plastic products within the country has
resulted to such adverse effects that the drainage system of the many parts in the country is
facing incompetency
Both of the countries complains that by the usage of the plastic products the environment
has been affected by serious drainage blockage issues all over the countries. To meet with the
prevention of this type of situations within a country it is to be said that the effectiveness is to be
measured with the help of this analysis. Both the constraints of the effect as well cost on the
environment are depicted as the primary areas of interest.
Statement for Problems
The primary focus of this report is to put an emphasis of the adverse effects of the
plastics as well as mugs that are made of metal in the environment of Australia. The mugs are
mainly used for providing liquid items as well as juicy products. There are some food stuffs
which are needed to be served in a mug. This type of products include porridge as well as tea.
This is taken into consideration that most of the population intakes porridge or tea, it can be

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significantly stated that the production of the mugs are carried out all throughout the year. These
are bought by a huge amount of members, thus they use it in future as well as dispose the
products after a certain amount of time. But it is identified that the strategy regarding the
disspodsal of these items are critical in many aspects.
The plastic as well as metals are both identified as non-biodegradable products
(Demirbas, 2011). This is depicted from the fact that the disposal strategy must be correct for
disposing these type of items. The criteria of disposal that is to be adhered regarding it should
aim to reduce the negative effects in accordance to these type of items in the atmosphere.
If the correct measures are not taken then these products can cause serious blockages
within the drainage system. Moreover, they hamper the usefulness of the agricultural fields.
Bothe of these type of wastes provide an uneven look to the environment. Thus the rectifying
cost regarding the damages for these type of irresponsible disposal strategy is said to be very
high.
Process for Life Cycle Analysis
There are certain procedures that are recommended significantly by ISO regarding the
analysis procedure of the lifecycle (Chen, et al., 2010).
Analysis of Life Cycle
Definition of
Goals as well as
determination of
Scope.
Inventory of Life
Cycle: This
involves the
input and output
identifications.
Assessment of Impact:
effects regarding the
environments.
Interpretation:
analysis of data

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Functional and Weight unit
Mug (Metallic) Mug (Plastic)
Mass 460 grams - 800 grams 350 grams - 460 grams
Useful component A coffee cup A coffee cup
Data source: (Jennie, 218), (Richter, et al., 2017)
Impact analysis with the help of Gabi

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Identification of the hot spot
Plastics and metals does not degrade naturally thus they are known as bio degradable
objects (Demirbas, 2011). Due to this reason correct strategy should be implemented for
disposing this type of waste materials. The strategy for disposing this type of waste materials
should be such that these materials can cause least amount of damage to the atmosphere.
If these type of materials are not disposed properly then they can block the drainage
system and they can also affect the ventilation of soil making the soil unfavorable for the
microorganisms living in the soil. Other than this the disposal of plastic and metal will make the
environment look very unattractive. The cost is very high for resolving the damages inflicted by
these kind of careless dumping of plastic and metal in soil. To prevent this situation
precautionary approach should be implemented instead of the remedial approach.
Curative measures
The usage of plastic utensils like plastic mugs should be banned. If the plastic utensils
cannot be banned under any circumstances then there should be a proper recycling process for
this utensils. In same manner all the metal waste materials should be recycled instead of being
disposed at the environment.
Best Replacements
The alternative which is best to these problems are usage of metallic mug instead of
plastic mug. It is one of the best alternatives as the metal is more recyclable than plastics. Unlike
plastic metals does not emit toxic gases in the atmosphere. Thus metal mugs should be used as it
is more ecological when compared to the plastic mugs.

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References
Chen, C. et al., 2010. LCA allocation procedure used as an incitative method for waste recycling:
An application to mineral additions in concrete. October, 54(12), pp. 1231-1240.
Citizen Digital, 2019. Poor quality shopping bags banned, two years after plastic ones, s.l.: s.n.
Demirbas, A., 2011. Waste management, waste resource facilities, and waste conversion
processes. Energy Conversion and Management, 52(2), pp. 1280-1287.
General Assembly, 2015. Transforming our world, s.l.: s.n.
Gifford, R., 2011. The dragons of inaction: Psychological barriers that limit climate change
mitigation and adaptation. American Psychologist, 66(4), pp. 290-302.
Jennie, 218. How Many Grams a Cup Weighs – paper, plastic, ceramic, glass cups. [Online]
Available at: https://gramcup.com/grams-a-cup-weighs-paper-plastic-ceramic-glass-cups/
Lazarevic, D., Austin, E., Buclet, N. & Brandt, N., 2010. Plastic waste management in the
context of a European recycling society: Comparing results and uncertainties in a life cycle
perspective. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, December, 55(2), pp. 246-259.
Reisser, J. et al., 2013. Marine Plastic Pollution in Waters around Australia: Characteristics,
Concentrations, and Pathways. pp. 7-13.
Richter, V. et al., 2017. Life Cycle Assessment: Comparative LCA of using Disposable Cups VS
the GreenCup for drinking Coffee on KTH Campus Valhallavägen, s.l.: s.n.
Wu, B., 2011. Consumption and economic law. Consumption and Management, pp. 61-97.