Imagine a future without plastic. If that’s the case, you’ll use wood, plants, stones, and other natural materials produced by the environment for every item you need to run your household and this world. Yes, the creation of plastic was partly because of environmental concerns, much different from what we face today.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, growing crisis about the depletion of natural resources such as ivory, animal hides, and tortoiseshells magnified the need for something to substitute these resources. They were widely used for combs, billiard balls, and buttons. If this hadn’t been stopped, it may have caused the extinction of species like elephants and turtles as early as a century ago.
It is natural human behaviour to find ways to survive and have a better life. Looking back at how plastic began, how it has progressed, and how it will be in the future, environmental concerns have shifted. It is now focused on sustainable innovations and solutions for the concern that led to its creation, is now destroying the world it meant to save.
Key Takeaways
- Everyone must be aware of the critical need for the circular plastics economy to sustain the plastic industry meant to help save the environment more than a century ago. However, current recycling rates are low. There is a need for advanced recycling technologies to address the challenges and a call to be more unified with interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Two ways to move forward to the path of a circular economy are through chemical recycling and innovations in biodegradable plastics.
- We need collaborative efforts between communities, corporations, and innovative technologies to effectively manage waste and protect marine ecosystems if we mean to address plastic pollution, especially in oceans.
Key Statistics
These numbers are taken from the World Economic Forum’s Top 25 Recycling Facts and Statistics 2022.
- In 2021, in the US, only 5% to 6% of the 40 million tons of plastic waster generated was recycled. This is only about two million tons out of the 40.
- Approximately 36% of plastic produced is used for packaging, and 85% is in landfills.
- 2.5 million plastic bottles are thrown away in the US every hour.
- At this very time, 75-199 million tons of plastic are in our oceans.
- 450 years or more is how long plastic bottles need to degrade.
The Evolution of Plastic Production
Plastic comes from the Greek word plastikos, which means ‘to mold’ or ‘to shape. ‘ Leo Hendrik Baekeland coined the term in 1909 to describe a new category of materials. He created the first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, in 1907. The adjective plastic was initially used to describe something that could be deformed without breaking.
During World War II, the rapid growth of plastic became evident. Plastic’s versatility and indispensability were recognized, as the US experienced a 300% increase in usage. After the war, businesses introduced plastics to replace wood, steel, and glass in various products.
In our feat to find materials of strength, lightness and flexibility like synthetic polymers, we are facing the double-edged sword that plastics offer. Synthetic polymers from natural substances or petroleum feature long molecular chains, making them strong, light, and flexible. Synthetic polymer today, like any other plastic, has its dual nature: its incredible utility and the environmental challenges it poses are the dreams that are slowly becoming our nightmares.
Moving Towards a Circular Plastics Economy
A circular plastics economy, attributed to economic principles and environmental concerns, paved the way to keep plastics out of landfills by continually using and recycling them. It was only in 2016 when Eckhard Weidner initiated the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence on Circular Plastics Economy (CCPE). However, the current recycling rates could be better because only 9% of plastics are being recycled globally. The EU recycled 32% of post-consumer plastic packaging in 2020. These data show a resounding gap between capabilities and future goals.
Economic barriers, such as the costs of sorting and recycling technologies, are the main challenges this circular plastics economy faces. Chemical recycling offers a solution to a more sustainable plastics economy because it reduces dependence on new fossil fuels and lowers emissions.
Interdisciplinary expertise from science, engineering, and social sciences is vital for advancing a circular new plastics economy. Sustainable procurement plans and innovative approaches are necessary to guide this transition, even if it means sacrificing short-term profits for long-term sustainability.
Chemical Recycling: A Game Changer
But how do we manage plastic waste that is unsuitable for mechanical recycling? Mechanical recycling is recovering plastic waste through sorting, washing, drying, grinding, re-granulating, and compounding. Thanks to chemical recycling! This is an innovative solution for hard-to-recycle plastics and those sent immediately to landfills instead. Once the plastics’ basic chemical components are broken down through chemical recycling, we can reprocess and reuse them.
This method supports a circular economy because chemical recycling is vital to defossilizing plastics and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. When plastic waste is converted into valuable resources through chemical recycling, it transitions away from fossil fuel reliance and supports a circular economy.
The world regards adopting chemical recycling technologies as a game changer in reducing plastic production’s environmental impact. With continuous innovation and improvement of these technologies, the future of a world where plastics can continually help us instead of destroying what we have built so hard to have and be without harmful emissions will not be just a dream.
Innovations in Biodegradable Plastics
Biodegradable plastics offer a promising solution to plastic waste. Biodegradable plastics can be classified into two types: natural and synthetic. Natural biopolymers come from renewable sources such as microorganisms and plants. Other examples are Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), produced by bacteria from renewable sources, and polylactic acid (PLA), which comes from cornstarch.
The advancement of bioplastics opens the doors for various industries to set an example in diversifying product offerings and minimizing carbon footprints. But even though these plastics are biodegradable, they still require specific environmental conditions to decompose effectively, and yes, it still is a challenge.
Innovations like packaging made from mushrooms and regenerative materials such as seaweed provide sustainable alternatives to new materials and conventional plastics. While these recyclable materials help meet sustainability goals and reduce carbon emissions, proper disposal and decomposition remain crucial.
Reducing Single-Use Plastics
Reducing single-use plastics is necessary to mitigate plastic pollution significantly. The US Department of the Interior aims to eliminate single-use plastics by 2032. This feat shows a severe concern in pushing for a broader initiative to address this issue. But all these endeavours are demanding and challenging because of behavioral challenges, requiring a deeper understanding of consumer decisions.
Some plans to address this are public education and awareness campaigns to inform people about the benefits of reducing single-use plastics. Promoting reusable bottles and increasing the availability of water bottle filling stations are practical steps leading to this goal. Businesses should also rethink the way they package their products. Using concentrated product formats can help minimize waste and reduce transportation emissions. These may be slight changes in product packaging and consumption, but they can significantly help decrease plastic waste and its environmental impact.
The Role of Mechanical Recycling
Mechanical recycling is the answer to generating high-quality recycled materials needed for various applications. However, mechanical recycling faces problems such as the quality of recyclates, which often results in a market flooded with low-value applications.
Utilizing innovative processes will significantly enhance the quality of recycled materials. Advanced technologies like sensor-based sorting and hot washing are innovative processes implemented by the Quality Recycling Process (QRP). If the concern is about recycling costs, scaling up recycling operations can significantly lower costs because operational costs per tonne can decrease by up to 12% with larger recycling capacities.
Therefore, consistency is needed to ensure larger recycling runs. The mass retention rate during recycling is critical in managing operational costs. Higher material losses cause an increase in waste and a higher per-tonne cost. When we overcome these challenges, mechanical recycling can play a crucial role in the circular plastics economy.
Sustainable Plastic Packaging Solutions
One of the most evident forms of plastic usage we face daily, or instead, we use it daily, is plastic packaging. For this reason, we need more sustainable plastic packaging solutions to reduce its environmental impact and help address plastic waste. There is also a call to redesign plastic packaging to significantly improve the collection and processing of these wastes, enhancing recycling efforts.
Sustainable plastic packaging solutions are essential for reducing environmental impact and addressing plastic waste. Hence, redesigning plastic packaging can significantly improve collection and processing, enhancing recycling efforts. For example, in humanitarian efforts, a considerable amount of plastics, including polyethylene terephthalate, HDPE, and PP, are used in packaging. We can reduce the amount of plastic waste in the environment when we consider implementing innovative approaches in plastic packaging, if not totally eradicating it.
When we focus on sustainability and innovation, we can create functional and environmentally friendly food packaging solutions. If we don’t act now, what will become of our only home? These efforts are crucial for the future of plastics and our planet’s health.
Addressing Plastic Pollution in Oceans
The problem with plastic pollution in oceans is alarming. With over 100 million kilograms of plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a fast solution is needed, or this garbage will soon outweigh us all. Ocean cleanup drives are held all year round, especially during the International Ocean Clean-up initiatives, which aim to remove 90% of floating plastic pollution by 2040. Intercepting plastics in rivers can also help keep them out of the oceans.
The Ocean Cleanup aims to prevent 80% of river-borne plastic pollution from reaching the oceans by targeting 1,000 rivers worldwide. It is a non-profit organization that develops technologies to clean up ocean plastic pollution. Its goal is to reduce the plastic floating in the ocean by 90% by 2040. This organization has facilitated removing millions of kilograms of plastic from marine environments.
We need a collaborative effort between communities, waste management, and corporations to implement practical solutions against plastic pollution. When we all work together, we can address this alarming environmental issue, protect our oceans, and save our planet, our only home.
Health Implications of Plastic Additives
As the name implies, plastic additives are compounds added to polymers (or plastic materials) during manufacturing to improve their properties and performance. Plastics often contain additives like BPA and phthalates that can leach into food and beverages. Research indicates that maternal exposure to endocrine disruptors can adversely affect fetal development and child health. These can pose serious health risks, such as preterm births and low birth weights, for mothers exposed to them. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals from plastic additives is linked to reproductive health issues and various diseases.
More than the consequences of polluting our marine wildlife and ecosystems, the threat to human health is a more significant concern as microplastics enter the food chain. Additives like PFAS, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of human-made chemicals used in many consumer products and industrial processes that are persistent in the environment and can bioaccumulate. Their presence in our everyday lives leads to long-term health risks.
The Future of Plastic Supply Chains
Supply chains in the plastics industry are increasingly adapting to new sustainability standards that demand greater accountability and reduced environmental impact. Effectively defossilizing plastics at source is critical to sustainability in plastic supply chains.
Alternatives to fossil fuels, such as biomass, plastic waste, and CO2 capture, can help reduce reliance on them and lower greenhouse gas emissions. These alternatives can be utilized for more sustainable plastic production.
Ninety per cent of plastics worldwide come from fossil resources because there is a lack of awareness about greenhouse gas emissions from using too many fossil resources. Let us help stop this by emphasizing sustainable practices that can create a future where plastic supply chains are efficient and environmentally friendly.
Summary
The journey towards a sustainable future for plastics takes work. It is filled with challenges and opportunities. We have explored various pathways to address the plastics problem, from understanding the evolution of plastic production to innovative solutions in chemical and mechanical recycling. This transition has some major players, such as biodegradable plastics, efforts to reduce single-use plastics, and sustainable packaging solutions, all playing a crucial role.
We must keep innovating and collaborating across industries and communities as we continue in that direction. There is more hope for a better future when we all act to fulfil this goal, like adopting sustainable practices and supporting initiatives that reduce plastic waste. Then, our efforts will be well-spent. If we act now, we can create a healthier and more sustainable world for our younger and future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main types of biodegradable plastics?
Biodegradable plastics fall into two categories: natural and synthetic. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and Polylactic acid (PLA) are famous examples derived from renewable resources.
How does chemical recycling help the environment?
Chemical recycling converts difficult-to-recycle plastics into their essential chemical components. This beneficial process allows for reprocessing and reuse, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This innovative approach is one of the solutions we need to help minimize plastic waste and promote sustainability.
What are the health risks associated with plastic additives?
Plastic additives are silent enemies. They pose health risks, including reproductive health issues and endocrine disruption, because substances like BPA and phthalates can leach into food and beverages. We must be more careful when choosing how to use plastic products.
How can single-use plastics be reduced effectively?
The world must be educated well enough to reduce single-use plastics effectively. Public education campaigns, increasing water filling stations, and promoting concentrated product formats can significantly help. These strategies can help us in the long run by encouraging sustainable habits and minimizing plastic waste.
What is the goal of The Ocean Cleanup project?
The Ocean Cleanup project aims to remove 90% of floating plastic pollution from oceans by 2040, focusing on intercepting plastic in rivers as part of its strategy. This ambitious goal addresses a critical environmental challenge and seeks to restore ocean health.
Let’s Use Plastics Wisely
There is no denying that we cannot live without plastics. They are part of our daily consumption and industrialization. Like anything else, too much use and abuse of plastic can make or break us. Before you say we have to eradicate plastics, you must think again. Should we start learning how to use plastics wisely? When and how? We must be responsible for learning how to use plastics and how to use them well. Then, let us be held accountable for abusing them as if we own the world alone.
At Beaver State Plastics, we want to help you manufacture the plastics that will help you achieve your business goals with accountability and concern. Let’s both help improve the world.