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Material and energy flow analysis of the Malawian tea industry

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  • Taulo, J.L.
  • Sebitosi, A.B.

Abstract

This paper briefly reviews the material and energy flows of the Malawian tea industry, in order to identify opportunities and reduce its environmental impacts. The review also details the concept and methodology as well as studies on applications of material and energy flow analysis. Environmental impacts are calculated with a life cycle assessment approach, using CML methodology. Results indicate that green leaf consumption in the studied factories ranged from 4.19 to 6.33kg green leaf/kg made tea (MT), with an average of 4.96kg per kg of made tea compared to 4.5 and 4.66kg green leaf for tea factories in Kenya and Sri Lanka, respectively. Average wood consumption in Malawian tea factories is 3.35kg/kg made tea and specific water consumption ranged from 1.92 to 8.32kg/kg MT. In addition, the average value of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for eight factories is 4.32kg of CO2-eq/kg MT as compared to 2.27 and 2.7kg CO2-eq/kg in similar factories in Kenya and Sri Lanka, respectively. The major sources emitting GHG are from boiler fuel combustion and stand-by diesel power generation system. The study indicates that global warming has the highest environmental impact (88%), followed by acidification (6%) and eutrophication (2%), whereas human toxicity is lowest (<1%). The findings demonstrate how MEFA provides early recognition of environmental problems and how it can be used to establish priorities for improving operations in the existing factories.

Suggested Citation

  • Taulo, J.L. & Sebitosi, A.B., 2016. "Material and energy flow analysis of the Malawian tea industry," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 1337-1350.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:56:y:2016:i:c:p:1337-1350
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2015.11.072
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    Cited by:

    1. Karambu Kiende Gatimbu & Maurice Juma Ogada & Nancy Budambula & Samuel Kariuki, 2018. "Environmental sustainability and financial performance of the small‐scale tea processors in Kenya," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(8), pages 1765-1771, December.
    2. Long Liang & Bradley G. Ridoutt & Liyuan Wang & Bin Xie & Minghong Li & Zhongbai Li, 2021. "China’s Tea Industry: Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Mitigation Potential," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-18, April.
    3. Yi-Wen Chiu, 2019. "Environmental Implications of Taiwanese Oolong Tea and the Opportunities of Impact Reduction," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-13, October.
    4. Karambu Kiende Gatimbu & Maurice Juma Ogada & Nancy L. M. Budambula, 2020. "Environmental efficiency of small-scale tea processors in Kenya: an inverse data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 3333-3345, April.
    5. Hao Li & Yuhuan Zhao & Jiang Lin, 2020. "A review of the energy–carbon–water nexus: Concepts, research focuses, mechanisms, and methodologies," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 9(1), January.

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