PLASTIC : The global problem

On 30th March , the world celebrated "the international day of zero waste". The observance led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) & the UN-Habitat highlighted the importance of proper waste management.

Plastic Problem : How big is it?

• Over 460 million metric tonnes of plastic are produced every year for use in a wide variety of applications, according to UNEP.

• 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste leaks into aquatic ecosystem.

• 20 million metric tonnes of plastic litter ends up in the environment every year. That amount is expected to increase significantly by 2040.

Why is it important to look after the problem?

1. Human Health: Microplastics have been found in human blood , foods & drinks.

   
   

2. Affects all land , fresh water & most importantly marine ecosystem.

   
   

3. Floating plastics transport invasive alien species ( animals , plants & other organisms that are introduced into places outside of their natural range) causing...

   Biodiversity loss,

   Ecosystem degradation

   
   

4. Impacts on climate

   
   

5. Oil & gas extraction: Incinerated plastic waste releases green gas and other pollution into the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, dioxins and methane.

PLASTIC production

Why are plastics hard to break down completely?

• Extremely durable chemical structure.

• Fragments into smaller and smaller pieces called microplastics. Which persist in the environment for centuries.

• Its molecular structure is also a reason as plastic is made of covalent bonds, which create long polymer chains by monomers.

1. Not a food source for any microorganism

2. Resistant to breakdown

3. Bacterial resistance

4. Waterproof and tough

5. Sunlight helps but slowly ( Photodegradation)

Which solutions do we have available until now?

1. Developing alternative materials like bioplastics ( made from renewable sources like cornstarch or cellulose ). Research is ongoing with advancement in areas like kenaf-fiber-based products.

   
   

2. Waste management and circular economy:

   The 5R principle, which refers to refuse , reduce , reuse , repurpose , recycle. Prevent plastic from being discarded after a single use.

   
   

3. Aquatic ecosystems are suffering a lot from plastic pollution.

   Ocean cleanup technology.

   
   

4. Chemical Recycling;

   1. Pyrolysis

   2. Depolymerization of plastic polymers like PET.

   3. Biological recycling ( bio-upcycling ) :

      
      

5. Using plastic for making different other products ,

   1. Plastic to fuel conversation

      
      

6. Waste to energy : Process like gasification (thermochemical recycling , syngas are produced in this process, which can be used to generate energy ).

   
   

7. AI-powered sorting system:

   integrate with robots and sensors to automate waste separation , reduce the need for manual labour , improving safety and enhancing the efficiency of the recycling process.