Abstract
Twenty-first century human behaviour continues to escalate activities that result in environmental damage. This calls for environmentally friendly solutions, such as waste recycling and handling, to deal with the increased amount of waste, especially plastics. The plastic materials manufacturing sector is booming, particularly packaging; while only a fraction of its waste is recycled, another fraction is destroyed, and the larger part continues to pollute the environment. In addition to other waste disposal activities, destroying plastic or incineration (which could be for energy recovery) is usually subjected to strict legal requirements because of its effect on the environment. However plastic is destroyed or disposed of, it poses a serious challenge in both the short term and the long term to humans and their natural environment if the process is not efficiently managed. This article describes how a growing amount of plastic waste is disposed of haphazardly in South African townships, while most of the inhabitants are not aware or do not care about the adverse environmental and health effects of these actions. This article examines the environmental and health effects of poor plastic disposal in South African townships as it is in other developing countries to sensitise the citizens to the significance of reducing plastic waste quantities, which will downplay their impact on human health and the environment.
Highlights
Academic Editors: Ana Luísa PatrícioPlastics are chemically created polymers that are used in a broad range of materials, including clothing, medical supplies, water bottles, food packaging, electrical items and construction materials [1]
This article examines the environmental and health effects of poor plastic disposal in South African townships as it is in other developing countries to sensitise the citizens to the significance of reducing plastic waste quantities, which will downplay their impact on human health and the environment
“Plastic waste recycling”, “challenges related with plastic waste”, “health concerns associated with plastic waste”, “recycled plastic”, and “environmental benefits of plastic recycling” were keywords used to find relevant articles
Summary
Plastics are chemically created polymers that are used in a broad range of materials, including clothing, medical supplies, water bottles, food packaging, electrical items and construction materials [1]. 2050, there will be fewer fish than plastics in terms of weight in the oceans [3], and this is informed by the annual estimated 13 million tonnes out of the 500 billion plastic bags used ending up in the ocean and causing the mortality of over 100,000 aquatic beings [4]. South Africa, like the world at large, is experiencing a surge in using plastics, resulting in an ever-increasing amount of plastic waste [5], and plastic waste management, recycling and disposal is a huge concern that places a significant strain on the environment [6]. It is critical to explore further the consequences of plastic items and waste on human health and the environment, for South African townships. This article does not cover the complete waste management process, but provides a broad overview of the energy recovery, disposal hazards and negative consequences of plastic waste.
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