Abstract:
1. Introduction
This study aims to assess the plastic footprint of the Hirdaramani Mihila
factory and analyze the environmental impact of its plastic use, with the
ultimate goal of achieving industrial plastic neutrality. The objectives are to
quantify the amount of plastic footprint in the production process, analyze
the environmental impact using Life Cycle Assessment, and determine the
plastic credit requirements necessary to neutralize the plastic footprint.
2. Research Methodology
The data collection process covers both primary and secondary data
related to plastic materials directly used in the production process at the
factory over one year. The plastic footprint was calculated by analyzing 122
plastic items used across 11 departments. Microsoft Excel was used for
calculations and visualizations, Minitab was employed for statistical
analysis and the environmental impacts were analyzed using SimaPro
software, following the ReCiPe endpoint method.
3. Findings and Discussion
Results revealed that the total plastic footprint was 86,091 kg. The Low-
density polyethylene accounted for the largest portion of the footprint.
Human health has been affected the most, and the amount is 190.7257392.
Ecosystem quality and resource depletion have been equally affected, and
the amounts are 9.050840836 and 7.91257917, respectively. However, it is
unfortunate that more than 90% of the total environmental impact is on
human health. To neutralize this footprint, the study calculated that the
Hirdaramani Mihila factory would need to purchase approximately 86 tons
of plastic credits.
4. Conclusion and Implications
More than half of the total amount of plastic used in the year belongs to the
unaccounted category. The amount of plastic used for one garment in that
process is 25 grams. Recommendations include implementing a more
sustainable packaging strategy to reduce reliance on high-impact plastics
like Low-density polyethene and Polyvinyl chloride, improving recycling
and reuse efforts within the factory, and integrating plastic-neutral
certification into corporate sustainability goals.
