Handling Plastic Waste
Handling plastic waste
What Happens to Plastic Discarded in the Environment?
- Plastic improperly disposed of can last for hundreds of years, but proper waste management changes this scenario. In countries like Germany or Norway, closed-loop systems recover 97% of plastic waste.
- In Asia and Africa, the main issue is the lack of proper waste collection systems. Educational campaigns and infrastructure can dramatically reduce the amount of plastic entering the oceans.
Closed-Loop Systems
„Plastic is an ideal material for closed-loop systems – it can be processed multiple times, and recovered material finds applications in new products. Singapore has achieved 100% waste utilization, with some plastic converted into fuel for power plants and the rest used in road construction.”
Expanding the Closed-Loop Approach:
- Education and Sorting: Public education about waste sorting is key. Every household should have access to clearly labeled bins for plastic, paper, glass, and biodegradable waste.adów. Każde gospodarstwo domowe powinno posiadać dostęp do wyraźnie oznaczonych pojemników na plastik, papier, szkło i odpady biodegradowalne.
- New Recycling Technologies: : Investing in technologies enabling automated waste sorting and breaking down plastic at the molecular level. Examples include advanced chemical recycling machines.
- Industrial Reuse: Recycled plastic can be used in manufacturing building materials like composite boards, road elements, or furniture.
- Financial Incentives: Governments can introduce deposit systems where consumers receive refunds for returning plastic bottles to collection points.
- Setting Standards: Introducing global standards for marking and recycling plastics to facilitate identification and processing of raw materials.
Tips for Consumers:
- Buy products in packaging labeled as 100% recyclable.
- Avoid single-use plastic if reusable alternatives exist.
- Properly sort plastic packaging before disposal.
- Choose stores offering the option to refill your own containers.
- Educate others – share knowledge about the importance of recycling and closed-loop systems with family and friends.