Circular and low-carbon SA plastics sector 

For many, it takes a bit of time to figure out what they are passionate about. This was the experience of Dr Taahira Goga. But today, the 34-year-old researcher finds meaning in working on, among other research topics, strategies to address the complex issues of plastics and the associated environmental impacts. Every bit of her winding road added a building block – a degree in chemical engineering laid a strong academic foundation; a Master’s in civil engineering introduced her to Life Cycle Assessment tools; and a PhD lifted the lid on the enormous potential of a circular and low-carbon South African plastics sector. 

Before joining the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as a researcher, Goga received her introduction to the organisation through her attendance at several CSIR webinars and workshops during her academic career. “This served as my orientation to the research council and the projects that it is involved in,” says Goga, who joined the organisation’s group of experts in sustainability, economics and waste in 2023. 

Her geographical journey was as varied as her academic journey. She started at the University of KwaZulu-Natal for her undergraduate degree, then relocated to Johannesburg at the midpoint of her Master’s studies to work for the University of the Witwatersrand as a research assistant. She enrolled for a PhD at the University of Cape Town in 2020 - a mere month before the global Covid-19 outbreak. Today, Goga is based at the CSIR’s regional office in Stellenbosch. 

A PhD unlocks her passion  

Inspired to address a research topic of interest that could address real-life challenges, one that is topical and would benefit and be significant in South Africa, is what defined the subject matter focus for Goga’s PhD dissertation.  

She was intrigued by the role waste reclaimers play in solving an environmental problem, as well as a form of informal job creation. “The idea for my doctoral research emerged when I was living in Gauteng. One day, as I was driving past an informal reclaimer (also commonly referred to as a waste picker or informal recycler), I spotted him navigating his trolley packed with recyclable materials. It triggered something within me, and I mulled over it, extending more thought towards whether recycling and the four major waste streams could be a research topic for my PhD.” With wise counsel from her supervisors, the scope of her study was extended to include a detailed analysis of the South African plastics sector. “My supervisors also introduced me to the concept and model of the circular economy as an alternative model.”  

“I completed the majority of my PhD remotely as Covid-19 raged. I was fortunate that it was desktop research-based. I remain grateful that I had great supervisors,” she proclaims. 

Passion does half the work  

“In the end, my doctoral thesis investigated the potential of a circular and low-carbon South African plastics sector. The analysis was conducted using quantitative assessment tools such as Life Cycle Assessment and Material Flow Analysis. The purpose of the study was to evaluate circularity and decarbonisation strategies throughout the plastic lifecycle to determine their environmental impacts.”  

Goga was honoured with her PhD in June 2024 and continues to work closely with research teams at the CSIR on plastics-related projects. Currently, she is part of a project that focuses on quantifying plastic pollution in Zambia, using the Pathways Tool and another that is creating a national source inventory to reduce plastic pollution at the country level.  

Dealing with unknown uncertainties  

Challenges are inevitable, but to get the best results, Goga explains, “In general, I think it takes time to figure out what you are passionate about and what skill set you would like to enhance. Understanding your personality and how that fits into team dynamics is also key.” She extends this idea to real-life applications in a plastic-reliant society. Increasingly, it is challenging to encourage pro-environmental behavioural change in the context of plastic pollution, as personal attitudes, beliefs and situational factors can often influence these individuals’ actions to protect or preserve the environment. 

Sharing career advice  

Goga has learnt valuable lessons throughout her career. “There is a lot of advice that can be given, but it is always helpful to have a positive attitude and to treat challenges as a springboard to something better, especially when doing a PhD.” Attaining a PhD requires innovation and novelty. Therefore, when it comes to the journey of being a researcher, she has the following insights and advice to offer:  

• There is significant scope for women to be involved in plastic-related research. At the CSIR, women involved in plastic-related research come from different educational and academic career backgrounds.  
• Research can be daunting to many, often leaving people feeling deterred by the process. To overcome this barrier, Goga suggests asking oneself, “How can we take this theoretical work, and how can it help us in our daily lives?” 
• During the research process, it is common to have moments of self-doubt along the way, but it is important to be aware of one's limitations. The great thing about research is that any result is a result because an inquiry has been devised, analysis completed, and knowledge that was previously unknown has emerged.        
• Understand that pursuing a PhD is a long-term commitment, and passion is what will drive you. There will be challenges that extend beyond research, such as personal and professional challenges. 
• It is important to use your knowledge and experience to encourage those who wish to explore a research career and be open to learning from others who are more seasoned. 
   

Goga is a strong advocate for paying it forward. In her spare time, she volunteers as a co-founder of the Muslim Postgraduate and Researchers Network, which aims to create a community of postgraduate students and researchers in Cape Town. “The platform is blossoming into a supportive community. I was inspired to get involved in it because I felt very isolated doing my PhD remotely, and I was also seeking to connect with more Muslim professionals,” she explains. People of all faith groups are welcome to join, although the organisation embodies an Islamic ethos. We host regular academic and social activities.”  

Problematic but with beneficial properties  

Society has been using plastics for generations due to their beneficial properties. But, it has inherent complexities, which need to be addressed through a combination of strategies. This, she states, is the significance of the work done at the CSIR. “I think evidence-based research is important, particularly with the advent of fake news and/or scientific misinformation. It’s also important to highlight trade-offs when comparing strategies as research has shown that there is no single solution.”  

Some research gaps prevent us from fully understanding the full impact of plastic pollution. “Estimates in terms of how much plastic is littered and leaked are known, but its impact in terms of degradation and cause-effect mechanisms is still being investigated. This is exciting for those who want the opportunity to help close the knowledge gaps on the impact of plastic pollution.”  

To gain a holistic perspective, the social and economic dimensions of the plastic sector, as well as local conditions, should be understood and explored for further research. “What would the implications be if alternatives are introduced? Can we reduce our demand for plastics? Can we prevent or reduce single-use plastics that have a very short lifespan? Every time we reuse a plastic product, its impact is reduced. There are value choices we can make as individuals,” Goga says.  

Addressing plastic problems for the future  

“For me,” Goga concludes, “it comes down to making an impact and contribution, however minor. I am trying to develop my knowledge in terms of investigating the social impacts of systems to gain a more holistic view and explore other associated topics such as biodiversity, particularly in a diverse country such as South Africa.”