Plastic Waste Problem Research Articles

Efficient H2 Production from PET Plastic Wastes over Mesoporous Carbon-Supported Ru-ZnO Catalysts in a Mild Pure-Water System

The massive consumption of plastic is posing severe pollution-related challenges globally. As the most abundant polyester plastic, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste represents a largely untapped resource for generating chemicals and fuels. However, the current widespread use of alkali/organic solvents and the complex processing of PET reduce its environmental sustainability. Herein, a novel and simple one-pot strategy was first reported for the catalytic conversion of PET into H2 fuel and terephthalic acid in a pure-water system under mild conditions. A high H2 yield of 19.97 mol/kgPET and carbon conversion efficiency of 97.22% were obtained for the Ru-5ZnO/mesoporous carbon (MEC) catalyst at a low temperature of 250 °C. This process proceeds through tandem catalytic reactions with an initial PET depolymerization step, followed by in situ aqueous phase reforming (APR) of ethylene glycol of Ru. Remarkably, ZnO inhibited the deactivation of Ru/MEC in the PET depolymerization stage, causing an increase in H2 production from the in situ APR stage. Importantly, this strategy was successfully applied to four types of real-world PET waste and their mixtures, demonstrating that it has considerable potential in practical applications and provides a sustainable and clean solution to the plastic waste problem.

From Waste to Fuel: Pyrolysis of Plastic Packaging

The problem of plastic waste has recently attracted more attention due to the non- biodegradable of plastic. The thermochemical method through pyrolysis is one of the most effective methods used in processing of plastic waste into fuel. Here we report on the pyrolysis of plastic packaging using a batch pyrolysis reactor at 430 °C. The derived liquid has a compound distribution starting from the light aliphatic compounds. In addition, this liquid has a gross calorific value of 11090.9 kcal/kg. This value is in the range of the gross calorific value of commercial gasoline. Thus, the pyrolysis process of plastic packaging has the potential to become a fuel.

Analisa Green Accounting pada Aplikasi GaloninAja dalam Upaya Mewujudkan SDGs

Currently, Indonesia is the third largest producer of waste in the world. Plastic waste is the second largest waste produced after food waste, which is 15.1℅. Problems regarding plastic waste cannot be separated from human life, especially in terms of consumption of mineral water because a lot of the packaging uses plastic. Moreover, with the emergence of single-use gallons, the problem of plastic waste is increasing. In addition, as much as 46.21% of waste in Indonesia is not managed. If this is allowed to continue, it can cause environmental damage and even natural disasters such as floods, resulting in hunger and poverty. Viewed from the other side, the waste-producing company should be responsible for managing the waste by implementing green accounting. However, in Indonesia, not many companies have implemented green accounting. To solve this problem, the author makes an innovative GaloninAja application. GaloninAja is one of the technological innovations that can make it easy for users to transact and get benefits and will aggregately have an impact on reducing plastic waste that has the potential to pollute the environment. With this application, companies can implement green economics as one of the Sustainable Development Goals without having to lose costs for the environment (green accounting). This study uses a qualitative descriptive method with primary data sources in the form of interviews and secondary.

Burning Wet Waste: Environmental Particularity, Material Specificity, and the Universality of Infrastructure

The problem of plastic waste accumulating in the environment has become ubiquitous in recent years. One way in which urban governments are looking to solve this issue is by investing one of several thermodynamic technologies that fall under the umbrella term ‘waste-to-energy’. The drawback of such technologies is that the waste stream must be consistent in quality and quantity. By drawing on ethnographic research with environmental activists in Kochi, South India, I demonstrate that particular environmental and material conditions—in this case Kochi’s immense wetness—confound the supposed universality of such infrastructures. Querying waste infrastructures in this way also leads to insights that suggest that investing in infrastructures to address issues of plastic waste often deepen attachments to plastic economies of capitalist accumulation. I ultimately argue that addressing environmental and social concerns about plastic waste means broadening what is relevant to infrastructural interventions in urban environmental governance.

GreenPeace’s Strategy in Handling Plastic Waste in DKI Jakarta 2017-2020

The increase in the amount of plastic waste is a worrying environmental problem, due to the nature of plastic that is difficult to decompose. This article analyzes GreenPeace's strategy for handling plastic waste problems in Jakarta during 2017-2020 and the obstacles that occur in implementing the strategy. The research uses qualitative research methods, data collection comes from primary data through interviews with informants and secondary data through literature studies from various sources. Using the theory of NGO strategy put forward by John McCormick to see the GreenPeace method in solving the problems that occur. The results showed that GreenPeace carried out several strategies in handling plastic waste in Jakarta with a tendency to use five of the nine strategies described by John McCormick, namely the strategy of working with Elected Officials, Bureaucrats, and Employess of corporations by holding activities with the theme of plastic waste, raising and spending money. for campaigns on environmental issues including plastic waste, campaigning and organizing public protests conducted several times with other communities, promoting media coverage of environmental as a tool to expand the issue of plastic waste, exchanging information in the form of workshops and educational activities, undertaking research to produce accurate data, generating local community involvement in environmental protection to increase public awareness. GreenPeace's obstacles in carrying out strategies from the government's external side in addressing existing problems and industrial companies that continue to use single-use plastic without immediately looking for other alternatives. While the internal side is the lack of intensity of GreenPeace in advocating the government.

Video art as environmental communication media for the problem of plastic waste in Solo

Garbage is a big problem in the city of Solo. It can be seen in the Putri Cempo Landfill (TPA), which is the place where the final processing of waste from all areas of Surakarta City takes place. The waste management activities of the Putri Cempo harm the safety and comfort aspects of the environment as well as location and accessibility but also become an opportunity in the economic part. To campaign for Solo as a city that supports and cares about environmentally friendly issues, what art actors can do is disseminate the crisis that occurs through various media so that the public more easily understands it. One of the most effective ways to attract people today is through a video. They are supported by music that can foster empathy for the audience. Research methods, creation, and presentation are based on research and experimentation. The process of creating works consists of several stages, including the exploration stage, experimental experiment stage, improvisation stage, forming step, and finishing stage.

Analisis Yuridis Pencemaran Laut Yang Disebabkan Limbah Plastik

Indonesia is referred to as a maritime country because the location of the archipelago becomes a sea traffic lane. Marine pollution is the entry or inclusion of living things, substances, energy, and/or other components into the marine environment by human activities so that they exceed the established quality standards of the marine environment. Marine pollution, especially that caused by plastic waste is a threat that really must be handled seriously. The purpose of the study was to determine the juridical basis and responsibility for marine waste pollution. The method of analysis is normative legal research, using a law approach, a case approach and a conceptual approach. The legal materials used in the research were collected by conducting searches and documentation studies, either through e-books, libraries and internet media. The results of the study show that the forms of legal liability for perpetrators who pollute the marine environment in Indonesia include administrative responsibility, civil liability, andcriminal liability. The application of imprisonment and fines is cumulative, not an alternative. So it is necessary both, namelyimprisonment and fines, not one of them. Currently, there is still a need for firm and real action from the government and publicawareness to tackle the problem of plastic waste in the sea.

Biodegradation and Biotechnological Approaches for the Control of Plastic Pollution on Land and Ocean

Nowadays, constantly increasing plastic pollution is the primary area of scientific research worldwide. The excessive use of this synthetic polymer has led to its accumulation in the environment. A large number of marine organisms are at risk because of plastic debris jeopardizing their survival and many are already at the stake of endangerment. The conventional plastic waste management techniques are inadequate as their by-products are also hazardous to environment and oceans. Microbes exposed to plastic waste and producing catalytic enzyme have proved to be one of the finest approaches to tackle this ever-increasing problem of plastic waste. This biodegradation occurs through various steps including biodeterioration and depolymerization. Recent advances in system biology and genetic engineering techniques can pave path towards better plastic degradation. This review highlights the toxic impact of nano and microplastic on environment and ocean and how futuristic research in biodegradation can solve the issue of plastic pollution.

Efficient depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene furanoate by engineered PET hydrolase Cut190

The enzymatic recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be a promising approach to tackle the problem of plastic waste. The thermostability and activity of PET-hydrolyzing enzymes are still insufficient for practical application. Pretreatment of PET waste is needed for bio-recycling. Here, we analyzed the degradation of PET films, packages, and bottles using the newly engineered cutinase Cut190. Using gel permeation chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography, the degradation of PET films by the Cut190 variant was shown to proceed via a repeating two-step hydrolysis process; initial endo-type scission of a surface polymer chain, followed by exo-type hydrolysis to produce mono/bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate and terephthalate from the ends of fragmented polymer molecules. Amorphous PET powders were degraded more than twofold higher than amorphous PET film with the same weight. Moreover, homogenization of post-consumer PET products, such as packages and bottles, increased their degradability, indicating the importance of surface area for the enzymatic hydrolysis of PET. In addition, it was required to maintain an alkaline pH to enable continuous enzymatic hydrolysis, by increasing the buffer concentration (HEPES, pH 9.0) depending on the level of the acidic products formed. The cationic surfactant dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride promoted PET degradation via adsorption on the PET surface and binding to the anionic surface of the Cut190 variant. The Cut190 variant also hydrolyzed polyethylene furanoate. Using the best performing Cut190 variant (L136F/Q138A/S226P/R228S/D250C-E296C/Q123H/N202H/K305del/L306del/N307del) and amorphous PET powders, more than 90 mM degradation products were obtained in 3 days and approximately 80 mM in 1 day.Graphical

The Production and Physical Characterization of Polybutylene Succinate Multifilament Yarns

There are significant problems in the production, use and waste management of petroleum-based polymers due to the increasing plastic waste problem, exceeding limit of the greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing fossil resources. The textile sector is the second sector that causes the plastic waste problem after the packaging sector. About 65% of the total yarn produced in the textile industry consists of yarns obtained from petroleum-based polymers. Biopolymers come to the fore in studies carried out within the scope of sustainability philosophies such as using of renewable raw materials, recycling at the end of their life and decomposition without harming the nature. In this study, it is aimed to produce biobased and biodegradable polybutylene succinate (PBS) polymer into multifilament yarn by melt spinning method and examine the effect of different winder speeds on the textile values of PBS yarns. In this context, multifilament yarns with round cross-sections were produced at 4 various winder speeds. The linear density, elongation (at Fmax) and tenacity of the produced yarns were obtained by performing analyzes, and also cross-sectional images of the filaments were also taken. The results suggested that the elongation (at Fmax) and dtex values decrease, and the tenacity value increases due to increasing winder speed. Additionally, the cross-section properties of the PBS multifilament yarn are smooth round sections and that the filaments in a yarn have similar diameters to each other.

Pelatihan Berkarya Recycle Art untuk Mewujudkan Siswa Kreatif di SMP PGRI 13 Gondangrejo Karanganyar

<p class="Abstract"><span lang="EN">The realization of creative students is one of the learning objectives carried out in schools. Students become creative when faced with contextual problems in school. The problem of plastic waste at SMP PGRI 13 Gondangrejo Karanganyar encourages school residents to choose creative solutions by using plastic waste mineral water bottles to manufacture recycled artworks that are charged with creativity. This activity aims to increase students' creativity in creating recycled art using plastic waste in the school environment. The implementation of training and mentoring activities uses the lecture and question-and-answer methods to deliver theories, while the experimental method is used when practicing work. The application of this method is supported by a participation and collaboration approach from the initial stage to the end. The achievements of the activities are (1) The realization of recycled artworks in the form of various types of plastic flowers in the school garden located in front of the teacher's office so that the school environment becomes comfortable and beautiful, (2) Increasing student creativity in creating recycle art.</span></p>

Satellite Tracking and Global Treaty Effort Open New Front on Plastic Waste Problem

Satellite Tracking and Global Treaty Effort Open New Front on Plastic Waste Problem

Thermal Stability of Polycaprolactone Grafted Densely with Maleic Anhydride Analysed Using the Coats-Redfern Equation.

The plastic waste problem has recently attracted unprecedented attention globally. To reduce the adverse eff ects on environments, biodegradable polymers have been studied to solve the problems. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is one of the common biodegradable plastics used on its own or blended with natural polymers because of its excellent properties after blending. However, PCL and natural polymers are difficult to blend due to the polymers’ properties. Grafted polymerization of maleic anhydride and dibenzoyl peroxide (DBPO) with PCL is one of the improvements used for blending immiscible polymers. In this study, we first focused on the effects of three factors (stirring time, maleic anhydride (MA) amount and benzoyl peroxide amount) on the grafting ratio with a maximum value of 4.16% when applying 3.000 g MA and 1.120 g DBPO to 3.375 g PCL with a stirring time of 18 h. After that, the grafting condition was studied based on the kinetic thermal decomposition and activation energy by the Coats–Redfern method. The optimal fitting model was confirmed by the determination coefficient of nearly 1 to explain the contracting volume mechanism of synthesized PCL-g-MA. Consequently, grafted MA hydrophilically augmented PCL as the reduced contact angle of water suggests, facilitating the creation of a plastic–biomaterial composite.

Involving Children with Special Needs in Managing a Digital-based Waste Bank

The Covid-19 pandemic has increased plastic waste. Those may cause microplastics and nanoplastics contaminants in soil, water, and air that have the potential to interfere with environmental health and human health. Waste management from the source is important in solving the problem of plastic waste, one of which is through a waste bank. Can children with special needs be involved in managing a digital-based waste bank? This study aims to determine: (1) the skills of children with intellectual disabilities in sorting waste, and (2) the skills of children with hearing impairments to record waste transactions digitally. This research is a one-group posttest only design. The sample was carried out purposively, totaling 10 children with intellectual disabilities and 14 children with hearing impairment in special high schools. Data were collected through tests after training. Data analysis used descriptive statistics. The research findings show that: (1) children with intellectual disabilities have very good skills to sort waste with an average score of 84.40, and (2) children with hearing impairment have good skills to record waste transactions digitally with an average score of 80.36. It indicates that children with intellectual disability and hearing impairment have the potential to be involved in digital-based waste management. This involvement may develop an awareness of children with special needs in environmental health.

Preparation and Characterization of Edible Straw Made from Dragon Fruit Peel to Solve The Problem of Plastic Waste

Plastic waste is a global environmental problem that is being faced by the world, especially Indonesia. In addition, Indonesia is ranked 4th in producing plastic straw waste. This problem needs to be taken seriously because the waste generated through plastic straws is difficult to recycle. One effort that can be done is to replace plastic straws with edible straws. Red dragon fruit peel contains nutrients such as carbohydrates, fat, protein, and dietary fiber but is often only thrown away and considered as waste. This study aims to utilize dragon fruit peel as a basic material for making edible straws and to analyze the characteristics of edible straws. The study used quantitative experimental methods by testing temperature resistance and water absorption. The results showed that edible straw has good temperature resistance at a temperature of 10℃-20℃, where at that temperature there is an increase in mass of about 2-3 grams. As for water absorption, a good temperature range is 20℃-80℃ where absorption occurs between 0.38%-7.46%.

Addressing the single-use plastic proliferation problem

Despite the integral role of plastics in modern society, effective management of plastic waste has remained unaddressed, even as the rate of plastic waste accumulation continues to accelerate. The vast majority of plastic waste has a slow degradation rate, leading to harmful environmental consequences, particularly for marine ecosystems, and may potentially have human health impacts. As a result, policymakers have begun taking action in recent years, with a focus on banning single-use plastics. While single-use plastic bans have seemingly become the preferred policy response, there is debate regarding whether they are universally the optimal policy solution. This article reviews current implementations of these bans and examines the associated environmental trade-offs. It then presents a set of potential alternative or supplemental policy options with a focus on the importance of addressing the entirety of the plastic value chain in the development of policies to grapple with the plastic waste problem.

Waste Plastic Direct Extrusion Hangprinter

As the additive manufacturing industry grows, it is compounding the global plastic waste problem. Distributed recycling and additive manufacturing (DRAM) offers an economic solution to this challenge, but it has been relegated to either small-volume 3D printers (limiting waste recycling throughput) or expensive industrial machines (limiting accessibility and lateral scaling). To overcome these challenges, this paper provides proof-of-concept for a novel, open-source hybrid 3D printer that combines a low-cost hanging printer design with a compression-screw-based end-effector that allows for the direct extrusion of recycled plastic waste in large expandable printing volumes. Mechanical testing of the resultant prints from 100% waste plastic, however, showed that combining the challenges of non-uniform feedstocks and a heavy printhead for a hangprinter reduced the strength of the parts compared to fused filament fabrication. The preliminary results are technologically promising, however, and provide opportunities to improve on the open-source design to help process the volumes of waste plastic needed for DRAM to address the negative environmental impacts of global plastic use.

Sustainable development through sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation: a single-case approach

PurposeThis paper aims to understand how a sustainable entrepreneur through his/her sustainable innovation can implement the three pillars of sustainable development, i.e. economic, social and environmental pillars, and how an entrepreneurial opportunity can be sought in environmental problems to develop a new product.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research approach using a single-case study design has been adopted. It discusses the case of an Indian sustainable entrepreneur working for the cause of reducing plastic pollution in India and providing employment to rural women from economically weaker backgrounds. Data was primarily collected through semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed through thematic analysis.FindingsThe paper shows how an entrepreneur through entrepreneurial opportunity discovery and sustainable innovation contributes toward sustainable development.Practical implicationsThis study highlights the need for institutional support by governments for a wide spectrum of sustainable enterprises as they can help the governments in achieving sustainable development goals at local levels. It will also act as a representative example for the entrepreneurs about how one can covert an environmental problem into an opportunity, through sustainable innovation.Originality/valueThe originality of the study lies in the presentation of an innovative idea developed by the entrepreneur for addressing the problem of plastic waste. The case used here demonstrates that sustainable entrepreneurship, through sustainable innovation, can deal with multiple economic, social and environmental issues.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAPACITY IN IMPLEMENTING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAN POLICY IN BALI PROVINCE

Inorganic waste, especially single-use plastic, has a negative impact on the environment and society. The trend of increasing plastic production is not followed by the ability to manage waste properly. As a result, there is a buildup of waste in the world. Indonesia is one of the countries with the highest plastic waste problem. The problem of plastic waste can harm a country such as decline in the tourism sector. Bali Province is one of the provinces with tourism potential. Plastic waste is also a problem there. Several international media such as Time and BBC have reported about this situation. In response to this problem, the local government published Peraturan Gubernur Bali Nomor 97 Tahun 2018 which prohibits the use of three types of single-use plastic, namely plastic bags, styrofoam, and straws. In its implementation, there is problem in public compliance, can find people use single plastic easily. This research contributes the analysis of local government capacity in implementing the policy. As a result, local governments are lacking in monitoring and sanctioning, causing a decrease in community compliance. However, they are strong enough in explaining the concept and causality relationship to achieve the goal.

The effect of ZnO (zinc oxide) and glycerol concentrations on the mechanical properties of bioplastics made from Canna tuber (Canna edulis) starch

The problem of plastic waste in Indonesia is increasingly worrying due to its long degradation duration. Bioplastics made from starch are easily degradable in nature and have a lower contribution to environmental pollution. This study aimed to determine the effect of ZnO and glycerol additions on the thickness, tensile strength, elongation, Young’s Modulus, water absorption, and biodegradation of bioplastics. The results indicate that adding ZnO and glycerol has significant effects on thickness, tensile strength, elongation, Young’s Modulus, water absorption, and biodegradation. A high concentration of ZnO and glycerol was parallel to an increase in the thickness of bioplastic. A high ZnO concentration and low glycerol concentration increases the tensile strength and Young’s Modulus, but decreases the water absorption. Glycerol at high concentration and ZnO at low concentration increases the elongation. The addition of ZnO in a small amount positively affects the biodegradation of bioplastics.