Plastic, which was previously useful as packaging, over time can actually swallow up life on earth. However, recycling solutions actually offer an illusion.
A decade ago, the World Economic Forum in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation released a report that, should, make anyone shudder to read it. In the report, it is stated that in 2050, if the trend of excessive waste production continues, the weight of plastic in the ocean will exceed the weight of all the fish that live there.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation report was published on December 31 2015. Unfortunately, after ten years have passed, humans have not learned. Every year, more than 400 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide. Most of these plastics are not recycled, but end up in landfills, simply burned, and ultimately become environmental pollutants.
Plastic waste seeps into the ground, polluting water and air because it cannot decompose naturally. These plastics will only break down into much smaller fragments called microplastics. Microplastics can survive in the environment for hundreds or even thousands of years. This means that with a very slow decomposition process, plastic will never completely disappear, instead it will continue to damage the environment for a long time.
In the sea, the impact of environmental damage caused by plastic is already felt. Every year, millions of marine animals die from ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic. Even small organisms at the bottom of the food chain are affected by microplastics. From there, microplastics enter human food sources, from seafood to table salt.
Apart from damaging marine life, plastic pollution is also a major contributor to climate change. The plastics industry produces nearly two billion metric tons of CO₂ emissions every year, exacerbating global warming and exacerbating environmental damage.
The Greatest Sinners
On this earth, almost all countries are guilty of plastic pollution. However, there are some entities that take greater responsibility than others. According to a study published in Science Advances, five companies—Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé, Danone, and Altria—contribute to nearly a quarter of the branded plastic waste found in the environment. These companies rely heavily on single-use plastic packaging which is difficult to recycle and often ends up as a pollutant.
Meanwhile, countries with high incomes, such as the United States, produce the most plastic waste per capita, at least almost twice as much as the country in second place. These countries also often send their plastic waste to developing countries, especially in Asia, where waste management systems are inadequate. In 2018, China's ban on plastic waste imports exposed the sins of rich countries in throwing their environmental burdens onto poor countries.
Indonesia, according to the same research, is one of the biggest sinners. In the list of 10 companies with the largest plastic pollution, there are the names Wings, Mayora Indah, and Salim Group, which are none other than from Indonesia. This does not include foreign companies such as Coca Cola, Nestlé, Danone and British American Tobacco, which also have massive activities in the country.
It is estimated that Indonesia contributes around 10 percent of the plastic waste that enters the sea every year, the second largest after China. Even though the government has taken steps to reduce plastic pollution, for example implementing a ban on single-use plastics in several areas, progress has not been felt. The biggest problem is that most industries are still too dependent on single-use plastic packaging.
Daur Ulang Hanyalah Solusi Semu?
Of the three Rs concept that has been socialized—reduce, reuse, recycle, and recycle—recycle is the one that is most frequently promoted. It's as if, by recycling plastic, all the problems will just be solved. This is a myth that has persisted for decades. In fact, plastic recycling rates are very low. It is estimated that of all the plastic produced, only around 9 percent is recycled.
There are several reasons why recycling has proven ineffective as a major solution to the plastic problem. First, most plastics cannot be easily recycled. Plastic is made from various resins and each type has different properties, which make it more or less suitable for recycling.
Seven types of plastic—marked by their resin identification codes—have varying degrees of recyclability. Plastics such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and HDPE (high density polyethylene) are relatively easy to recycle. However, other types, such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), LDPE (low-density polyethylene), and polystyrene, are much more difficult to process. Many of them are contaminated by food waste or only part of multi-material packaging, making the recycling process even more complex.
The problem doesn't end here. Even if plastic can be recycled, there are economic considerations that prevent it. Virgin plastic, which is made from fossil fuels, is often cheaper to produce than recycled plastic.
As a result, many recycling programs face the challenge of creating a closed-loop system where plastics are continually reused. In many cases, plastic actually decreases in quality when recycled. After that, it will not be able to be recycled again.
Usually, when plastic can no longer be recycled, two outcomes are created, namely being buried in landfills or being burned. Both produce detrimental effects. Burning plastic releases toxic chemicals into the air which causes air pollution and worsens the greenhouse effect. Then, plastic buried in landfills will decompose into microplastics, which are impossible to remove from the ecosystem.
So, given the ineffectiveness of recycling solutions, why is it still a popular solution when we talk about plastic pollution? One answer is because of the role of the fossil fuel industry.
Along with the ambition to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, the oil and gas industry is starting to turn to plastic as a new market. Plastic production relies heavily on fossil fuels: the oil industry acts as both a producer and a cause of plastic pollution. According to a Time report, these companies have invested heavily in building plastic production facilities and are using their influence to promote recycling as a solution to the plastic problem.
This narrative attempts to divert attention from the main problem, namely excessive plastic production, and instead shifts the responsibility to consumers. By promoting recycling, the oil industry seems to be washing its hands of its responsibilities. They are also no longer in the spotlight for their role in plastic pollution while continuing to reap profits from the ever-growing plastic market.
What are the right steps?
To tackle the plastic pollution crisis, a more comprehensive approach is absolutely necessary. Reducing plastic production, especially single-use plastic, is the most crucial first step. The government plays an important role in efforts to limit plastic production through its policies. They could very well issue regulations limiting the production and use of plastic packaging, and then promote more sustainable alternatives.
The European Union has set a strong example by banning single-use plastic items, such as straws, cutlery and plates. Other countries, including Kenya and Rwanda, have implemented plastic bag bans to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste.
Another important solution is to require companies to take responsibility for the plastic waste they produce. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy requires companies to take full responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products, including the waste produced.
The German Packaging Act, which links the cost and recyclability of packaging, is one example of the major role EPR plays in encouraging companies to improve their product designs and reduce waste. This policy has moved companies to adopt more sustainable packaging solutions, helping to reduce the amount of plastic waste that pollutes the environment.
Innovation also plays an important role in overcoming the plastic crisis. Research into alternative materials, such as biodegradable plastics and plant-based packaging, offers promising solutions for reducing dependence on petroleum-based plastics.
Additionally, technological advances in chemical recycling, which converts plastics into their original components for reuse, have the potential to increase the effectiveness of recycling and reduce plastic waste. However, innovations like this will only be effective if governments and companies commit to investing in these technologies and expanding their use.
Another way out is to improve waste management infrastructure in developing countries. Organizations such as Plastics For Change have partnered with local communities in various countries to create sustainable waste management systems. These efforts not only reduce plastic waste, but also create economic opportunities for communities in need.
The pseudo-solution of plastic recycling, promoted by the oil industry and packaging manufacturers, actually makes the plastic pollution crisis continue to grow and creates a wildball effect. Recycling is not useless. However, that is not the main solution to the existing problem.
To overcome the plastic crisis, the first step is to reduce or massively reduce plastic production and consumption. For this reason, the government must implement strict regulations. Accountability of industrial players must also always be demanded because they are the main culprits of this terrible pollution.
Sporadically, we can actively reduce the use of plastic. However, without structured, systematic and massive efforts, everything will be in vain.
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