International Conference on Life Cycle Management in France

Senior researcher, Dr Valentina Russo, and researcher, Taahira Goga, from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), participated in one of the fastest-growing forums for the exchange of knowledge on environmental, economic and social sustainability. This event took place in France in early September of this year.

The duo represented the CSIR at the 11th International Conference on Life Cycle Management (LCM) in Lille, France. The biennial conference is dedicated to fostering discussions and advancements in the implementation of life cycle approaches along business value chains to support holistic sustainability. Russo and Goga’s research is particularly focused on specialised thematic areas within life cycle assessment and life cycle sustainability assessment. The conference provided the ideal opportunity to share the outcomes from ongoing research projects led by the CSIR in these specific areas of expertise.

During the three-day conference, Goga delivered a platform presentation showcasing her ongoing PhD research findings. Her presentation, titled “How sustainability strategies could be considered in LCM of systems: The South African plastic sector as a case study”, shed light on her comprehensive investigation. Notably, this research was recently published in a paper co-authored with Prof. Harro von Blottnitz, Russo and Prof. Kevin Harding, which investigated the potential of using environmental assessment tools to measure the current and future impact of the local plastics economy.

According to Goga, “The research findings, which align with local and international studies, indicate that combining circularity and decarbonisation strategies can have a significant impact on the South African plastics sector. This is particularly relevant in light of increasing attention on climate change and plastic pollution. Overall, it was a very rewarding experience to share the story of the South African plastic industry with a global audience.”

Russo presented a poster titled “Transitioning from conventional plastics to more sustainable alternatives: Evidence from a LCSA of material alternatives for take-out containers in South Africa”. This collaborative work was co-authored with CSIR colleagues Anton Nahman, Prof. William Stafford and Prof. Suzan Oelofse, and it emerged from a project on sustainable plastic alternatives. This project was funded by the Japanese government through the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.

On proud display is the poster Dr Valentina Russo used to engage delegates
at the International Conference on Life Cycle Management in France.
Her poster focused on a (LCSA) of take-away containers.

Stimulating the delegates’ interest with a highly visually appealing poster presentation, Russo also shed light on problematic plastics, including polystyrene take-away containers. “I was able to spark scientific discussion in a simple and creative way about the findings from my research, and how single-use plastics such as take-away packaging has economic, social and environmental impacts,” she explains.

The conference’s primary focus was on practical solutions for the implementation of life cycle approaches into strategic and operational decision-making across various sectors, encompassing science, industry, non-government organisations and public institutions. The event featured noteworthy showcases of LCM practices, ranging from the development of methodologies and the experimentation with tools and methods to real-life success stories and market innovations. Goga also made the most of various side events, such as a master class on social value chain assessment and life cycle assessment software demonstration. She also leveraged the valuable networking opportunities offered by the conference, engaging in discussions with former colleagues, some of whom were University of Cape Town graduates, as well as connecting with new and former project partners to explore possible collaborations.

To learn more about the CSIR’s research group for sustainability, economics and waste, go to https://www.csir.co.za/sustainability-economics-and-waste and https://www.csir.co.za/SolvePlasticsAfrica    

Dr Valentina Russo and Taahira Goga representing #TeamCSIR
at the International Conference on Life Cycle Management,
held in France from 6 to 8 September 2023.