Each year, the EU produces an average of 2230 million tonnes of plastic waste, amounting to 4990kg per person. Overconsumption of plastics is a leading contributor to climate change and the warming of our planet. It is also linked to devastating health effects, such as damage to the sensory organs, impairment to the brain and liver, and an increased likelihood of developing cancer. Furthermore, economic researchers estimate a loss of up to 5% in marine ecosystem services, equaling a loss of $2.5 trillion per year, according to the International Caucus of Environmental Legislators. If we stand any chance of reversing the damage already done, then we must find sustainable solutions to the problem, both as a society and as individuals.
Author: Magdalena Totomanova
Plastic pollution has disastrous effects on the environment. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a massive accumulation of marine debris located in the North Pacific, extends from the West Coast of North America to Japan and contains approximately 1.8 trillion pieces of garbage, most of which is plastic, according to the National Institute of Health. Plastic pollution also threatens coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Plastics block sunlight, impairing the coral’s ability to carry out photosynthesis. According to the journal *Science*, corals that become entangled in plastic face an 89% chance of developing diseases, which can devastate entire reef ecosystems. Moreover, as plastics degrade into microplastics, they are ingested by plankton, disrupting the base of the food chain. This has a cascading effect on all fish populations and the humans who depend on fish as a food source. According to ScienceDirect.com, the presence of microplastics in food and water can lead to serious health issues, including cancer, inflammation, and cell death.
To combat plastic pollution, scientists have modified LCC enzymes into LCCICCG ones- they can now completely break down the PET polymer into its constituent monomers, which are the chemicals required for the production of new plastics. Additionally, there are now alternatives to plastic, such as plant-based or compostable materials, which minimize the need for the production of new plastics.
In our daily lives, there are many ways in which we can reduce the need for plastic- using a reusable water bottle, shopping in bulk, and avoiding single-use plastics are all simple ways to do this. Once done with plastic, it can be reused or upcycled to minimize the need for recycling and save energy.
To achieve significant positive change, a substantial investment of resources is required. The supply chain needs to be restructured, and although sustainable materials may be more expensive, the complexity of the global supply chain makes it difficult to ensure sustainable sourcing and traceability. Our ingrained habit of using plastics for everything—from grocery shopping to large-scale fishing—poses a challenge to changing attitudes. Additionally, plastics are readily accessible and convenient, making them even harder to replace.
In 2023, the EU instigated several projects addressing packaging waste and microplastic pollution, complementing the 2019 ban on single-use plastic. In 2018, the European Commission proposed a plastics strategy aiming to ensure that all plastic packaging can be reused or recycled by 2030, as well as reduce single-use plastic and microplastic consumption.
Luxembourg has set many goals for the reduction of plastic consumption, the banning of single-use plastics, the prevention of packaging waste, and the promotion of the use of reusable packaging. In Belgium, new policies entail extending the plastic, metal, and drinking waste bag to include all plastic packaging as well as expanding the pay-as-you-throw principle (households pay a variable amount depending on the quantity of waste generated by them and the service used for its disposal) to door-to-door collection and recycling parks. Another project stimulates the prevention and reuse of plastic waste, creating a sustainable recycling market as well as encouraging the use of recycled plastics. This project also aims to reduce the amount of plastic waste going into the ocean by three-quarters by 2025, as well as ensure that all plastic packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable. It also aims to have litter-free coastal communities by 2027.
Many companies use sustainable business practices. Apple has made it its goal to reduce carbon emissions and has started using aluminum instead of other materials to generate fewer emissions. More than 90% of Google’s waste doesn’t go to landfills, instead being reused or recycled, according to CleanRiver. Over 90% of Ikea’s waste is recycled or incinerated to produce energy, and Intel recycles 75% of its total waste.
Many regions, especially in developing countries, lack the infrastructure necessary to process plastic waste effectively. As a result, most plastic waste ends up in landfills or is incinerated, which releases harmful toxins into the environment. While urban areas may have recycling programs, these programs are often underfunded and struggle to keep up with the high volume of plastic waste produced. In contrast, rural areas often have no formal recycling systems in place at all.
Furthermore, plastics must often be sorted and cleaned before recycling, but improper disposal practices result in high contamination rates. For example, food residues or non-recyclable materials mixed with recyclables can render entire batches untreatable. There are also many types of plastic, each requiring different recycling methods. Inadequate sorting can lead to inefficiencies and waste, as not all plastics can be processed in the same way.
In wealthier nations, a significant amount of plastic waste is exported to developing countries for recycling. However, many of these nations struggle to manage the influx of waste. This often leads to mismanagement, with waste either being dumped into the environment or burned. The 2018 ban by China on importing plastic waste—previously the largest processor of global recyclable plastics—brought this issue to the forefront and left many countries grappling with their waste management.
Even when recycling systems are in place, public awareness about proper recycling practices tends to be low. People may mistakenly place non-recyclable plastics in recycling bins or may not participate in recycling at all, which diminishes the system’s effectiveness. Without widespread educational campaigns or clear labeling on plastic products, many consumers remain unaware of how to contribute effectively to recycling efforts.
While the plastics crisis is daunting, studies demonstrate that collective effort can make a significant difference. In 2008, Rwanda implemented one of the world’s strictest plastic bans. This allowed the streets of the capital, Kigali, to be notably clean. The success stemmed from the strong policies implemented and the cooperation of the public. In Sweden, 99% of all plastic waste is recycled thanks to a national waste management system that includes widespread education, incentives, and infrastructure.
Every step we take to reduce plastic waste is a step toward a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations, and it is therefore vital that we prioritize sustainable practices, promote awareness, and support innovative solutions to minimize our environmental impact. By making conscious choices and encouraging collective action, we can pave the way for a world where ecosystems thrive and resources are preserved for years to come.
Cover image by: RitaE – Pixabay
Edited by: Ieva Stalauskaite, Johanna Larsson Krausová
