3A - The Value-Chain and Origin of Plastic Bottles at the Coasts in Norway and South Africa 

Although plastic has become an essential material for humanity, our poor management of this material is posing a threat to all forms of life on Earth. Understanding how plastics flow within the anthroposphere is an essential step in designing an environmentally sustainable plastic economy. Consumer plastic bottles is a category of products that are not only among the most found items in the environment, but also one that has proven improved environmental performance when designed properly. The Norwegian collection system of plastic bottles is an example of such systems.

This project focuses on mapping the plastic cycle of consumer bottles in Norway and South Africa by developing a Material Flow Analysis (MFA) model. The plastic flows will include all life-cycle stages of products (i.e., production, consumption, collection, and end-of-life treatment). The associated plastic leaks to the environment across the whole life cycle will further be included by applying a loss rate (e.g., littering, mismanaged waste). The plastic flows will be further distinguished into two plastic polymers namely HDPE and PET. This model will be supported by a fieldwork case study where plastic bottles will be collected in 2 different geospatial locations (populated and unpopulated) and their origin will be identified. 

Mentors: Francesca Verones, NTNU & Catherine Sutherland, UKZN & Paritosh Deshpande, NTNU.
Coordinators: Enahoro Owowenu, RU & Ahmed Marhoon, NTNU & Marion Olsen Hepsø, NTNU

3B - Valorization of waste plastics into chemicals and energy carriers

380 million tons of plastics are produced annually, which equates to 50kg plastic/person annually. 50% of which are for single use purposes and only 9% of which are recycled. (Ocean Plastics, 2022) As such, there is a need to develop sustainable processes for the repurposing of those wastes. Thus, our project aims to introduce circularity in the process of plastic production. The process will involve attempting to develop economically viable processes to produce fresh feed to produce plastics from plastic waste and testing the products and usability. Competencies required include but are not limited to the following: Identification and analysis of major waste streams, analysis of accumulated waste in waterways and/or on land, identification of the types of polymers that are collected and how to utilize the cluster in an optimal manner using a variety of chemical and analytical techniques.

Mentors: Yusuf Isa, WITS & Lindiwe Khotseng, UWC
Coordinators: Ahmed Nosir, NTNU & Michelle Hamman, NWU

3C - Valorizing Plastic Waste

Using plastic waste for innovation, job creation, and new business development -- by sharing ideas, pooling knowledge, acquiring skills, testing concepts, and attracting customers -- while reducing pollution from post-consumer plastics in the process.

Mentors: Surika Behrens, Social Enterprise Academy South Africa & Ole Jakob Bergfjord, HVL & Judith Bragelien, HVL
Coordinators: Modi Michael Elisa, Norway & Mohammed Nazar, HVL 

3D - Trojan horse or just useful horse; the combined impact of trinity, micro plastic, bacteria and adsorbed elements on marine ecosystem

Microplastics (MP) are anthropogenic contributors to the sea, functioning as carriers for bio-essential and toxic metals (Be&Te). MP has a large surface area that is ideal for a variety of microorganisms. MP can be removed by microorganism-produced biofilms (Yang Liu et al. 2021) or behave as a "Trojan horse" by transporting toxic metals into organisms (Hildebrandt et al. 2021). Whether the interactions between MP, Be&Te and microorganisms are beneficial or harmful are poorly documented. The mechanisms and functions of these interactions, whether they are enhancing the removal of MP, its decomposition, or posing extra risk on other organisms, are not known yet.

This study will focus on the interactions of MP, Be&Te and bacterial communities. It will evaluate the combined impact of these interactions on the potential of removal and degradation of MP from marine environment or increase the harmful effects of MP on marine environment. In addition, we shall do a literature based study on the effects of abiotic and biotic factors on microplastics in a marine environment. More information.

Mentor: Murat V. Ardelan, NTNU
Coordinators: Mathew Kuttivadakkethil Avarachen, NTNU & Raeesa Bhikhoo, NWU

3E - Collaborative capacity building to combat the ghosts of derelict fishing gears

Abandoned, Lost or Discarded Fishing Gears (ALDFGs) are the most threatening fraction of marine litter. The stakeholder science and systems approach were successfully used to develop sustainable management of FG resources in Norway. The knowledge is being used to develop strategies for the prevention, minimization and removal of waste FGs in Norway. This project aims at transferring the experiences from the fishing dominant regions from Norway and South Africa to develop a “Best Practice Guide” for preventing the leakage of ALDFGs.

3F - Consumer practices relating to the reduction and reuse of plastic  beverage containers: A comparative study of Norway and South Africa

Food and beverage packaging accounts for nearly two-fifths of global plastic consumption. However, inadequate plastic recycling initiatives mean that much of this waste enters the natural environment, either on land or at sea, with potentially dire consequences. In 2020, only 35% of post-consumer plastic waste was recycled, with economic barriers, a lack of awareness, and a lack of positive values often being cited as a hinderance to people's willingness to change their recycling habits. This rate is often higher for plastic bottles, with Norway ranking amongst the top countries globally for plastic bottle recycling (≈97% of bottles returned, compared to ≈50% in South Africa). A key contributing factor to its high recycling is the success of the Norwegian bottle deposit (‘pant’) system which charges customers a levy upon the purchase of plastic bottles and later refunds this when the product is returned.

The aim of the current study is to compare plastic recycling behaviour of beverage containers in coastal cities in Norway and South Africa, with a view to gauging opinion on the potential effectiveness of the introduction of a bottle deposit scheme in South Africa. We focus on the use and recycling of plastic bottles, as a means of examining opportunities for successful interventions and for the improvement of future recycling strategies from a regional development perspective. Survey data will be collected and analysed via a quantitative approach to provide insight into consumer recycling behaviour around plastic bottles. It is hypothesised that the introduction of a bottle deposit scheme in South Africa would be an important step towards improving recycling rates, and thus reducing ocean plastic waste. We imagine this concept could initially be implemented at a local/regional level via select products, such as bottles of fruit juice, before being expanded to cover wider areas.

In terms of theoretical contributions, the work offers the potential to bridge the gap between different strands of literature relating to innovation, economics, and retail, in the sustainability context whilst still providing a tangible and relevant output for retailers and government agencies.

Mentors: Jessica Fraser, NMU & Heidi Janse van Rensburg, NMU & Tone Merete Brekke, HVL
Coordinators: Karl-Gunnar Severinsen, HVL & Alexander John William Myatt, HVL

3G - Economic valuation of sustainable solutions by retail customers

Retailers have come up with sustainable solutions to reduce plastic pollution, however adoption and use of such solutions is not widespread, for various reasons. Some consider the recyclable material are either expensive or come with inconvenience (such as having to remember to carry it to the shop), which limits reduction of plastic use, and thus its pollution. On the other hand, recycling of plastic is now well considered. The project intends to assess economic valuation (overall costs- real vs perceived) by retail customers in attempting to reduce consumption of plastic bags. Understanding the economic value of reduction in consumption of plastic bags, may help customers see the benefit and help increase use of biodegradable alternatives of recycling. It will be of interest to compare the evaluation between the two countries- South Africa and Norway. More information.

Mentors: Syden Mishi, NMU & Oddgeir Anders, NINA
Coordinators: Sipesihle Booi, NMU