Christine Cole - Four tough actions that would help fight the global plastic crisis
The environmental
impact of plastic is finally receiving the attention it deserves. This is
partly down to the BBC’s Blue Planet
II highlighting the problem of ocean plastics. But it’s also because
the Chinese government has recently imposed
quality restrictions on the import of recyclable materials, in an
attempt to address domestic concerns over pollution and public health.
Beijing’s move in
effect closes down the export of recyclable plastics, paper and other materials
from the world’s richest countries. The UK, rest of Europe, US, Australia and
others have for a long time been dependent on China to take the poor quality
materials that they collect and do not have the infrastructure or capacity to
use themselves. Until more recycling plants are built to deal with it
domestically, the UK faces a build-up of plastic waste.
Other countries in
Asia will continue to accept some of the lower quality materials, but this is a
temporary fix at best. Sending plastic to India, Vietnam or Cambodia instead of
China may limit the amount that has to be stored, placed in landfill or burnt
in the UK, but it does nothing to reduce the overall amount of plastic. We cannot simply rely
on the actions of concerned individuals. What’s needed goes beyond reusing
plastic water bottles, stopping using plastic drinking straws and taking
reusable bags to the supermarket. Here are a few
suggestions: read more:
https://theconversation.com/four-tough-actions-that-would-help-fight-the-global-plastic-crisis-89798
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