An Analysis Of Plastic Waste Recycling And Its Implications On The Ecosystem

With the Advancement of Technology, the Globe is Witnessing Severe Problems due to increasing Pollution

With the advancement with the technology and as an immediate result of the globalization, it can be noticed that the globe is witnessing severe problems due to increasing pollution. One of the major reasons behind environmental pollution is the increasing number of plastic wastage. It has been noticed that the ecosystem of the land as well as the marine ecosystem is being highly threatened due to the increasing practices of plastic wastage. To combat with this problem, scientific disposal and recycling of the plastic products have been taken up. The present report will hence focus on some of the researches that have been done in order to analyze the present scenario of plastic waste recycling as well as finding new methods.

Discussion

According to Jambeck et al., (2015), it can be said that the usage of plastic has been increased significantly along with the increase of the consumer market places. It has been pointed out by Bajracharya et al. (2014) that whereas in the year 1960 the amount of plastic wastage was less than 1%, the number has increased to more than 10% within the year 2005. It has also been noticed that the usage of plastic products has lead the way to higher rate of plastic wastage as well. The factor that is concerning the scientists as well as the activists is the increase of plastic disposal in the water bodies.

As pointed out by Jambeck et al., (2015), that as a result of plastic wastage in the marine water, the ecosystem and wildlife booth are being affected. Bing, Bloemhof-Ruwaard and Vorst (2014) have mentioned that in order to overcome this problem, Raymond et al. (2016), have observed that the European countries have effectively taken up the methods of waste disposal as well as the ecofriendly methods of waste management. A reference to Dutch government can be taken. The country has taken up effective steps in reducing plastic waste generation (He et al. 2015). The government has focused on the process of incineration of plastic waste as well as methods of recycling. It has come up with waste generation policies to support and effectively run the waste collecting and recycling procedures.

Moreover, Raymond et al. (2016), has pointed out that the Dutch government has effectively taken up effective methods to reduce the cost of waste recycling. The public as well as the private entities are taking up methods of recycling the plastic wastage as well as methods of incinerating the plastic wastes to produce CO2.

Scientific Disposal and Recycling of Plastic Products to Combat Environmental Pollution

As pointed out by Zhigui et al. (2015), the production of plastic materials have become significantly cheaper due to the technological advancement. Moreover, it has been noticed that the countries are failing to combat with the problem of plastic wastage as a result of the high usage and easy availability of the products. Taking reference from Geyer, Jambeck and Law (2017), it can be said that the industries are producing as well as using plastic products as a result of the cost effectiveness of the products. However, Saikia and Brito (2014) have noticed that the process of production of carbon-di-oxide is much higher than the market price.

The reason behind the higher cost of the CO2 obtained from the plastic recycling is the higher cost of transportation of the waste products and the consequent cost treatment. Hence, it is easily understandable that an efficient framework is highly required in order to solve the problem high production cost of the recycled products. Raymond et al. (2016), have pointed out that the Netherlands government has applied an effective method to overcome the issue of high production cost. In major industries of the country are liable to reimburse the cost of collecting, transporting and recycling the packaging wastage.

As opined by Zhigui et al. (2015), the recycling methods that have been taken up by the public as well as private entities, primarily based upon primary recycling, chemical recycling and mechanical recycling. Gradus et al. (2017) have mentioned that another effective method of plastic recycling is the process of energy recovery. In this context it can said that the mechanical recycling methods is being effectively used by China. By applying the methods of mechanical recycling, the country is effectively using the recycled plastic products. Plastic wastes have increasingly affected the global marketplace since a long time. The most concerning part of these wastes are that they cannot be recycled easily and from wastes like plastic bottle or plastic carriers, it creates global pollution (Bajracharya et al. 2014).

There is a vast toxic pollutant inside the materials that not only causes harm to the land, water and the air bodies as well (Saikia and de Brito 2014). The effects of plastic pollution increases when the plastic materials gather in abundance and its effect create issues from plants and animals. The effect is more severe when it creates problem for the human population (Jambeck et al. 2015).

Analysis of Current Scenario of Plastic Waste Recycling and Finding New Methods

However, Zhigui et al. (2015), have monitored that the organizations need to take up methods of effective recycling process. Many a times it has been noticed that inefficient methods of recycling lead to hazardous situations. Moreover, it can be said that the primary step of recycling the plastic waste is to collect and transfer the waste materials to the recycling sites. During the process of melting the plastic wastes, high amount of VOC is generated. This can increase the risk of cancer as well as other health issues significantly. Hence, the organizations need to take up efficient framework that ensures the safety of the workers as well.

SWOT Analysis

Strength	Weakness
Jambeck et al. (2015) – The article gives an insight about the agencies that deals with the recycling of waste materials and their legislation under the EU. Also with their extension of landfill, there are many economic advantages when municipal and household waste are applied. Gradus et al. (2017) – The article gives insight of the waste management organizations and the new jobs and opportunities created from it. With general support from the society as well, there is mutual benefits to everyone. The residents involved also know about the process and how it works.   He et al. (2015) – The article explains the circumstances when higher quality materials are used, there is a significant reduction to greenhouse gases.	Jambeck et al. (2015) – The article points out the factors that comes with the extension of landfill. However, very few sources are required to raise effort.   Gradus et al. (2017) – The article explores that fact that participants do not have up to date knowledge about recycling and waste materials process, therefore external education and training is needed to increase targets.   He et al. (2015) – The article states that competition also increases and evolves with the production of the waste management organizations. However, this information is onlt limited to a particular geographical area.
Opportunities	Threats
Jambeck et al. (2015) – The article explains the circumstances when there is excessive contribution in terms of local, regional as well as national authorities, there is the factor of meeting different targets towards legislations. This also creates the opportunity of new jobs.   Gradus et al. (2017) – The article explains that with the high amount of decrease in waste production as materials available in the local community, there is no need to import.   He et al. (2015) – The article mentions that when local authorities acquire the positive profile tag, there is the opportunity to create the in from the sales materials. This also states that with increase in community acknowledgement, there is the fact that these communities are doing the greater good.	Jambeck et al. (2015) – The article explains the fact that when the geographical location of the local authority leads to the reluctance of producers, this creates situations where the cost sharply increases.   Gradus et al. (2017) – The article explains the factors towards the residents or the participates, when there exits inefficient collection schemes it creates a negative impression overall.   He et al. (2015) – The article explains that the staffs who are responsible for managing the waste management often perceives in making programs can results in affecting the process of recycling. An example of this initial expense can be used for programs such as public awareness.

Conclusion

Therefore, from the above discussion, it can be concluded that there are many beneficial factors towards the process of recycling. However, education plays as a major role if the content were to increase. It is vital to provide information about the importance of recycling to the people so that they can understand the importance of it. Once people understand how waste materials are damaging the environment then only people can take action to prevent it. When people purchase items by least amount of packaging or avoiding plastic packages, then it is easier to manage the cycling method more effectively. There are instances where traditional methods such as plastic debris in marine environment were documented by calculating the quantity of the waste materials as well as the source of it. Although the ocean water is excessively polluted, still there have been improvements in the few years.

References

Bajracharya, R.M., Manalo, A.C., Karunasena, W. and Lau, K.T., 2014. An overview of mechanical properties and durability of glass-fibre reinforced recycled mixed plastic waste composites. Materials & Design (1980-2015), 62, pp.98-112.

Bing, X., Bloemhof-Ruwaard, J.M. and van der Vorst, J.G., 2014. Sustainable reverse logistics network design for household plastic waste. Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, 26(1-2), pp.119-142.

Geyer, R., Jambeck, J.R. and Law, K.L., 2017. Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made. Science advances, 3(7), p.e1700782.

Gradus, R.H., Nillesen, P.H., Dijkgraaf, E. and van Koppen, R.J., 2017. A Cost-effectiveness Analysis for Incineration or Recycling of Dutch Household Plastic Waste. Ecological economics, 135, pp.22-28.

He, Z., Li, G., Chen, J., Huang, Y., An, T. and Zhang, C., 2015. Pollution characteristics and health risk assessment of volatile organic compounds emitted from different plastic solid waste recycling workshops. Environment international, 77, pp.85-94.

Jambeck, J.R., Geyer, R., Wilcox, C., Siegler, T.R., Perryman, M., Andrady, A., Narayan, R. and Law, K.L., 2015. Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science, 347(6223), pp.768-771.

Saikia, N. and de Brito, J., 2014. Mechanical properties and abrasion behaviour of concrete containing shredded PET bottle waste as a partial substitution of natural aggregate. Construction and building materials, 52, pp.236-244.