Reduce Plastic Waste Research Articles

Sustainable solid waste management challenges in hill cities of developing Countries: Insights from eastern Himalayan smart cities of Sikkim, India

Rapid urbanization and the growing tourism industry in the Himalayan region have raised significant concerns about the sustainable handling and management of solid waste in the area. This concern is particularly pronounced in the unique and vulnerable ecosystem of cities nestled in the eastern Indian Himalayas, where geography, ecology, and socio-economic factors converge to create distinctive challenges. This study undertakes a thorough investigation of solid waste management practices and challenges in two smart cities nestled in the eastern Himalayan region of India, specifically Gangtok and Namchi. The primary objective was to unveil the complex challenges confronting these cities by conducting an in-depth exploration of waste management practices. This comprehensive investigation was achieved through the collection of samples, conducting surveys within each ward of the cities, and performing physicochemical characterization analyses. The study also proposes a solution-oriented approach leveraging life cycle analysis. Despite the Himalayan backdrop, waste generation varies significantly, with Gangtok producing substantially more waste (50 tons per day (TPD)) compared to Namchi (4.6 TPD). Both cities excel in waste collection, but Gangtok leads in proactive treatment, with 22% (11 TPD) undergoing composting and recycling. However, shared challenges at riverside disposal sites, including overfilled dumpsites and leachate contamination, pose potential environmental hazards amid the Himalayan allure. Organic waste predominates at 40.9% and 40.01% in both cities, indicating composting potential. Plastic closely at 22.25% (Namchi) and 22.65% (Gangtok) was way above the global (12 %) and national (8.4 %) average respectively, emphasizing the urgency of plastic waste reduction strategy. The 16.95% cardboard in Gangtok highlights potential commerce-related waste. The study also highlights the importance of comprehensive policies for informal sector well-being. The lifecycle assessment of Namchi and Gangtok reveals significant methane emissions (99%) from waste anaerobic decomposition potentially due to poor source segregation. Implementing a futuristic waste strategy reduces emissions by 38% in Namchi and 40% in Gangtok, through biogas utilization and renewable energy adoption. The findings advocate for citizen engagement, improved collection, targeted campaigns, and circular economy principles. To ensure sustainability and resilience in waste management within mountain regions, tailored strategies such as material recycling facilities, community engagement initiatives, and landfill diversion mandates should integrate ecological, socioeconomic, and logistical considerations, fostering awareness and participation among communities.

Socio-cultural dynamics in community support in post-consumtion plastik waste management: a case study of DKI Jakarta region

Introduction: Population growth in urban areas, fuelled by migration from rural areas, has changed lifestyles and socio-cultural dynamics. The dynamic lifestyle of urban communities changes consumption behaviour so that people prefer practical and economical products. There are fundamental issues that arise in the waste management system in Indonesia, including limited waste management capacity in the regions, inadequate infrastructure, implementation of regulations, and lack of public awareness including the consumer goods manufacturing industry on post-consumption waste management issues. This study aims to understand the perception and level of community participation as well as the role of the informal sector in post-consumption plastic waste management, with a focus on the implementation of the extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme. Methods: Data was collected through a questionnaire survey and literature study in five areas of DKI Jakarta. Through the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the manufacturing industry is encouraged to contribute to the management of plastic packaging waste produced. This research uses quantitative and qualitative methods with data analysis using descriptive statistics. Finding: The results show that the community supports EPR-related regulations and is ready to participate in plastic waste management schemes. This positive perception reflects changes in socio-cultural values that prioritise environmental concerns. The informal sector also makes an important contribution to plastic waste reduction, especially through collection, distribution, and processing activities in stalls and waste banks. Community support and the role of the informal sector in plastic waste management reflect changes in social attitudes and behaviours that are increasingly concerned about the environment. Conclusion: Therefore, active involvement in plastic waste reduction initiatives also reflects a cultural change that is increasingly integrated in urban communities.

Unveiling the potential of starch-blended biodegradable polymers for substantializing the eco-friendly innovations

The extensive industrialization of polyethylene during the 1950s resulted in the mass production of petrochemical-derived plastics that remain widely used today. However, the harmful environmental impact of these non-biodegradable plastics has become increasingly evident. The non-degradability of conventional plastics has led to the filling of landfill sites, raising water and land pollution, and rapid depletion of fossil resources. As a result, there is an urgent need to develop sustainable alternatives that can reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste. One promising solution is the production of starch-blended biodegradable polymers. These polymers are produced from renewable resources such as corn and have the potential to be biodegradable or compostable. The compatibility between starch and other biopolymers, like polybutylene succinate (PBS), polylactic acid (PLA), and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) is being researched in several areas of food processing. The environmental impact and sustainability aspects of starch-blended biodegradable polymers are addressed, emphasizing their renewable nature, reduced carbon footprint, and potential to mitigate plastic waste. They offer a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative that can significantly reduce plastic waste and minimize the reliance on fossil resources. Studying starch-blended biodegradable polymers as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics is crucial in addressing the detrimental environmental effects of non-degradable plastics. The review discusses the influences of starch content, compatibilizers, and plasticizers on the mechanical, thermal, and barrier characteristics of the blends also provides valuable insights into the current research trends and applications of starch-blended biodegradable polymers, highlighting their potential to contribute to sustainability and environmentally friendly polymer materials in various industries.

Potential of Pinhão husk (Araucaria angustifolia) as a structural reinforcement agent in the properties of edible films of Pinhão flour and gelatin

AbstractIn this study, the use of Pinhão husk as a source of reinforcement material for development of edible films, where the Pinhão seed flour and bovine gelatin were used as matrices for the films. Mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, solubility and opacity, microstructure, and thermal degradation characterized the films produced. The films presented homogeneous and cohesive structures. Pinhão husk content positively affected film properties by increasing tensile strength (TS) and decreasing water vapor permeability (WVP), with Pinhão flour film formulations (5.0% Pinhão flour, 1.2% glycerol, and 0.4% Pinhão husk) and gelatin (5.0% gelatin, 2.0% glycerol, and 0.4% Pinhão husk) those that presented the best results (5.06 MPa for TS and 0.14 g.mm/kPa.h.m2 for WVP) and (3.88 MPa for TS and 0.28 g.mm/kPa.h.m2 for WVP), respectively The thermal degradation study revealed that the films are stable at temperatures below 150°C, losing only free water and volatile compounds of low molecular weight. Pinhão husk can reinforce films, making them suitable as biodegradable and edible packaging materials for eco‐friendly food products. This contributes to the circular economy, preserves biodiversity, and reduces plastic waste, offering promising sustainable packaging solutions.

Policy scenario of plastic waste mitigation in Indonesia using system dynamics.

Plastic waste has become a major contributor to global environmental pollution. Some of the environmental impacts of plastic waste include littering, the formation of plastic debris in oceans and the contamination of freshwater and terrestrial habitats. Policymakers face great challenges in mitigating plastic waste. Indonesia is considered the second largest contributor of plastic waste in the world. However, existing policies have not addressed this issue. Policies, such as bans on single-use plastic bags and fees on plastic bags, have recently been implemented in some pilot cities, but the results remain unclear. Thus, this study proposes feasible policies to mitigate plastic waste in Indonesia using system dynamics. Specifically, this study seeks to develop a dynamic model of plastic waste mitigation and to propose a policy scenario for plastic waste mitigation. The proposed policies consist of a plastic bag ban, a plastic bag fee, a recycling centre and extended producer responsibility (EPR). The analysis demonstrates that an effective mixed policy instrument for reducing plastic waste depends on the plastic waste type. Regarding plastic bottles, the effective mixed policy is a combination of a recycling centre and EPR. For plastic bags, the effective mixed policies include the following combinations: a plastic bag fee and plastic bag ban, a plastic bag fee and recycling centre and a plastic bag ban and recycling centre.

Pyrolysis of Polyethylene from Plastic Waste using Activated Ende Natural Zeolite as a Catalyst

Plastic waste has many complex chemical components. In developing countries, direct incineration is often used to reduce plastic waste, releasing pollutants into the atmosphere. A more environmentally sound alternative is pyrolysis. It can turn plastic waste into an alternative fuel. A catalyst, such as natural zeolite, can reduce the energy used in pyrolysis. However, mineral contaminants must be removed first to get optimum activity. This research was focused on using Ende natural zeolite as a catalyst, determining the properties of the mineral in its activated form. It also investigated the interaction between H-zeolite composition and the operating temperature towards pyrolysis oil yield. The experimental results showed that Ende natural zeolite contained a mixture of mordenite, clinoptilolite, and quartz. After activation and modification, there was an increase in the surface area from 53.17–104.67 m2/g. The average pore radius ranged from 19.96–34.21 Å. There was an increase in the pore volume from 22.01–72.34 cc/g. The total acidity changed from 1.456–5.342 NH3/g. The optimum catalyst concentration was 10% in the pyrolysis of 1000 grams of plastic waste catalyzed by 100 grams of H-zeolite. The oil yield decreased at 15% concentration. The 10% concentration worked best at 400 ℃.

Tata Kelola Sampah Dalam Pembuatan Ecobrik Solusi Ramah Lingkungan Di Sekolah MIS Maura El-Mumtaz Kota Binjai

The dangers of plastic waste are common and disturb both the water, land and air. Ecobricks are a creative way to reduce plastic waste by putting clean plastic waste into plastic bottles and the results will be used for human benefit. Making ecobricks is not yet popular among the wider community. This service activity will provide benefits to various parties, including the community, community service participants and the government. The targets for this service activity are Maura El-Mumtaz Elementary School students in the Tanah Seribu sub-district, Binjai City. Based on the results of community service activities that have been carried out, it can be seen that students can make seats from ecobricks. It is hoped that students will be able to express many more ideas for making ecobricks, not only making them in the form of chairs but also in other shapes. So this can be used as a business opportunity for the community

Characteristics of the steam degradation of poly(lactic acid) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate)

The introduction of biodegradable plastics is considered a practical approach to reducing plastic waste accumulation in the environment. Regardless of their biodegradability, plastics should be recycled to effectively utilize and circulate carbon as a resource. Herein, the use of pyrolysis was examined as a method for recycling two common biobased/biodegradable plastics: PLA and PHBH. The pyrolysis of PLA produced lactides (10.7 wt% at 400 °C), but the yield was decreased when the pyrolysis temperature was increased. The presence of steam promoted the hydrolysis of PLA: a steam concentration of 25 vol % increased, the production of lactides at 400 °C to 17.4 wt%. The pyrolysis of PHBH primarily yielded crotonic acid (30.1 wt% at 400 °C), and the yield increased with increasing pyrolysis temperature (71.8 wt% at 800 °C). Steam injection increased the hydrolysis of oligomers, resulting in a 76.1 wt% yield of crotonic acid at 600 °C with a steam concentration of 25 vol %. Thus, we determined that hydrolysis and pyrolysis progress simultaneously under a steam atmosphere, increasing the chemical feedstock recovery from PLA and PHBH. These findings may lead to the proposal of effective degradation methods for treating biobased/biodegradable plastic wastes and ways to maximize the conversion efficiency and target product yields.

Public awareness and perceptions of ocean plastic pollution and support for solutions in the United States

We conducted a nationally-representative survey of United States (U.S.) adults (n=1,960) in 2021 to gather insights on the knowledge, perceptions, and concerns about threats to the ocean, with a specific focus on plastics and microplastic pollution. Responses from the U.S. adult survey group were compared to a group of highly-engaged, Ocean Conservancy members who are very attuned to ocean issues (n=882). Ocean Conservancy is a U.S.-based nonprofit environmental advocacy group working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest challenges. Plastic pollution was the primary ocean concern identified by both U.S. adults and Ocean Conservancy members, surpassing eight other threat categories including oil spills, chemical and nutrient pollution, and climate change. Broad concern was reported for both study groups about the impacts of ocean plastics on marine wildlife, with human health and coastal community impact concerns being less prominent. About half of U.S. adults and 90% of Ocean Conservancy members had heard of microplastics. Both study groups indicated widespread support for microplastic pollution prevention measures in the U.S. and believed industry to be most responsible for taking action to address it. Ocean Conservancy members were generally better informed and more concerned about plastic pollution impacts and microplastics than U.S. adults and reported significantly greater levels of personal action to reduce their plastic footprint when compared to U.S. adults. In general, U.S. adults reported a willingness to refuse single-use plastics, but less frequently brought personal food containers to restaurants for takeout, or contacted local representatives or businesses about reducing plastic waste and pollution. Overall, our survey results provide new insights about public understanding of ocean threats and plastic pollution, willingness to participate in individual plastic-reduction actions, and support for needed solutions.

Pengolahan Sampah Anorganik Menjadi Ecobricks Sebagai Upaya Pengurangan Sampah Plastik

This community service aims to reduce plastic waste that is quite a lot in the environment around us, especially in Bumi Waras Village. With concrete commitments and actions, it is hoped that the problem of inorganic waste, especially plastic, can be overcome gradually, restore marine ecosystems, and improve the quality of life of local communities. The method carried out during service activities is lectures and discussions (theory and practice). Through this service activity, the community has been given socialization about the types of waste and how to handle plastic waste in eco-bricks. The evaluation of this activity found that the community better understands the importance of proper waste management so that the environment is not polluted. People in Bumi Waras Village can also make clean plastic waste to be used as ecobricks. Ecobricks can be useful goods that are certainly environmentally friendly.

Communicating environment protection from plastic waste via VR: Effects of realism and spatial presence on risk perception

This study tested the utility of virtual reality technologies in building public awareness of an environmental issue—the growing pollution of plastic waste in oceans. We conducted an experiment to test whether viewing of VR video would produce two anticipated immersive experiences (e.g., perceived realism and spatial presence) in severely polluted oceans, and to further examine their effects on participants’ pro-environmental attitudes with regards to reducing plastic waste. Results showed that VR viewing led to higher perceived realism and spatial presence in comparisons with 2D video and audio-only conditions; perceived realism contributed significantly to pro-environmental attitude, whereas spatial presence did not. The higher the perceived realism, the stronger the pro-environmental attitude. Implications of the findings for using VR technologies for effective environmental communication are discussed.

The Role of Awareness of Consequences in Predicting the Local Tourists’ Plastic Waste Reduction Behavioral Intention: The Extension of Planned Behavior Theory

Due to increasing concern about plastic waste and its impact on the ecosystem, it is vital to understand tourists’ behavioral intentions about plastic waste reduction on beaches. There have been several studies that have used the theory of planned behavior to investigate pro-environmental behaviors or intentions, but there are few specific research studies that have extended the theory of planned behavior by adding awareness of consequences to explain the power of behavioral intention. Accordingly, this paper aimed to investigate how awareness of consequences, subjective norms, attitudes, and behavioral control dimensions influence plastic waste behavioral intention on Jeddah’s beaches, in Saudi Arabia. This was performed on a random sample of 390 local tourists in Jeddah city from June to August 2023. A total of 340 of them agreed and answered the questionnaire, yielding a percentage response rate of 87%. This produced 271 valid questionnaires for data analysis after closely examining the survey. A self-complete questionnaire was used for data collection in using multiple statistical analyses to examine the hypotheses. The results demonstrated a positive influence of subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and consequence awareness on environmental behavioral intention. On the other hand, attitude did not significantly contribute to predict environmental behavioral intention. This study’s findings made clear how crucial it is to consider any potential negative effects while making plans to cut down on plastic trash. Educating people about the possible harm that using plastic products on beaches is anticipated to cause to the environment might also be beneficial. It is intended that, through understanding behavior and behavior determinants, governmental bodies, pro-environmental organizations, businesses, and communities will be able to implement appropriate strategies to reduce the use of plastic in Saudi Arabia to protect marine life.

Transforming Diabetes Supplies in the Prison System: An Example of Environmental Social Innovation

Background: The disposal of plastic material has been gaining negative attention due to its impact on the environment and people’s health. Insulin pens used by people living with diabetes are disposed of through landfills or incineration, negatively impacting the environment and generating costs for the state. Methods: In an attempt to reduce the disposal of plastic in the environment and reduce disposal costs, the “Insulinadiamor” project was created, which uses handicrafts as a means of re-socializing women deprived of their liberty. In this project, female inmates in the state of Sergipe turn insulin pens into ballpoint pens. Results: During the year 2022, 2000 insulin pens were transformed into ballpoint pens. We estimate a loss of around USD 37,150.28 for the state due to the inappropriate use of medicines, which was reflected in the return of complete insulins. In addition, by avoiding landfill or incineration of the plastic content collected, we contributed to an estimated saving of almost USD 603.91 for the state and more than 80 kg of CO2-equivalent emissions. Conclusions: This project brings a sustainable and transformative approach involving financial savings, rehabilitation of inmates, and contribution to the environment. It also raises the importance of creating more sustainable initiatives to reduce plastic waste in the health sector and other areas.

Vietnam’s Legal Framework on Reducing Plastic Waste Towards a Global Treaty

Since the turn of the century, the number of plastics produced worldwide has doubled, and as of 2021, it was close to 400 million metric tons annually. Currently, over 350 million metric tons of plastic trash are produced annually by humans. 1 Plastic waste has become so widespread that UN negotiations are underway to draft an international treaty. Particularly Vietnam, where on average, about 1.8 million tons of plastic waste is generated each year, including more than 30 billion nylon bags, 2 is aware of the importance of preventing and minimizing plastic waste. Vietnam has recently implemented a number of solutions utilizing targeted actions and policy mechanisms, such as enacting the 2020 Law on Environment Protection with content related to plastic waste, the Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Marine Economy in parallel with protecting the environment and marine ecosystem, and the National Action Plan for the Management of Marine Plastic Litter by 2030. Besides, Vietnam has proactively and aggressively participated in building and accompanying the international community in developing a Global Agreement Framework to address plastic pollution and ocean plastic waste. This article examines Vietnam’s legal framework on plastic waste reduction toward global commitments. Based on the analyses, recommendations are provided to strengthen Vietnam’s legal system to prevent pollution caused by plastic waste.

Use of plastic waste as recycled material in the concrete

In this study, we examined the effect of adding recycled plastics to concrete. The waste plastics were collected from a local market. The disposal of plastics is a major issue with many negative consequences. Plastic, being inorganic, does not change the chemical characteristics of concrete and has no effect on its quality or consistency, making it an ideal material for use in the construction industry, where it may help reduce plastic waste. Plastic has dual uses in concrete as a filler ingredient and as an additive to enhance the mechanical properties of the material. The concrete was prepared using five different amounts of aggregate substitution by volume: 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. Cubes and beams were cast, cured, and tested using a universal testing machine. A mixed proportion was made using the different ingredients used in the concrete. At 7, 21, and 28 d, the results showed that the compressive and flexural strengths increased as the percentage of plastic waste increased. Also, flexural strength improved with an increase in the proportion of plastic waste, reaching a maximum at 30%. These results highlight that, as plastic fiber decreases the quantity of industrial fibers needed in concrete, it is also proven to be more inexpensive.

Bioplastics From Fruit Waste: A Trade Opportunity in a Green Future

Bioplastics are biologically derived, biodegradable polymers. Food waste is a challenge for sustainable development as it can increase greenhouse gas emissions and other issues related to the environment. Meanwhile, plastic waste contributes significantly to environmental pollution. Because of increasing environmental concerns due to conventional plastics, the development of “environmentally friendly” materials has attracted extensive interest. Fruit waste is known to increase during fruit processing and manufacturing. The present study aims to explore the potential of fruit waste as a bioplastic material as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plastic. Most of the fruit wastes have the potential to be developed as bioplastics as they contain starch, cellulose, pectin, and other biopolymers. Some of the fruit waste is generated by the fruit processing industries, including banana peel, pineapple peel, durian seed, jackfruit seed, avocado seed, orange peel, jackfruit perianth, pomegranate peel and dragon fruit peel etc. The production of bioplastics from fruit waste offers the potential to indirectly address two issues, namely reducing plastic waste and fruit waste, at the same time, thereby promoting environmental sustainability. In order to overcome the challenges and develop workable methods for producing bio-based plastics, it is in fact necessary to step up innovations and research in this area. This eco-friendly strategy can reduce our dependency on conventional polymers made of fossil fuels and take us to a more sustainable future.

Sustainable recycling strategies to reduce plastic waste: application of circular economy principles and discrete event simulation modelling to beverage manufacturing industry

Sustainable recycling strategies to reduce plastic waste: application of circular economy principles and discrete event simulation modelling to beverage manufacturing industry

Assessment of Clayey Soil Properties under the Influence of LDPE Waste

The inherent swelling and shrinking tendencies of clayey soil limit its applicability in subgrade construction. To address this issue and contribute to sustainable development, an experiment was conducted to explore the use of powdered LDPE plastic waste for stabilizing clayey soil. Various proportions of LDPE waste powder were added to the soil, revealing that a 4% LDPE waste powder content significantly increased the soil’s strength. Statistical analysis demonstrated a robust correlation between LDPE powder proportion, maximum dry unit weight, ideal moisture content, and unconfined compressive strength of the soil. Remarkably, the soil sample containing plastic waste outperformed the traditional sample, suggesting that integrating plastic waste with clayey soil is an effective strategy to enhance soil quality while concurrently reducing plastic waste through proper disposal. This study highlights a promising approach for sustainable subgrade construction Sand environmental waste management.

THE THERAPEUTIC EDGES OF MEDICINAL PLANT-DERIVED CUTLERY

This study explores the potential of utilizing medicinal plants in the development of edible cutlery, which offers a sustainable alternative to conventional single-use plastic cutlery. Medicinal plants are known for their diverse bioactive compounds, making them a promising source for producing environmentally friendly and biodegradable edible utensils. The investigation focuses on evaluating the nutritional value, safety, and sensory attributes of the edible cutlery. The results indicate that edible cutlery made from medicinal plants demonstrates promising potential as a viable and eco-friendly alternative to reduce plastic waste, while also offering potential health benefits through the ingestion of beneficial phytochemicals. This research contributes to the broader efforts towards sustainable food packaging and consumption practices, promoting a greener and healthier future.

Innovations in Food Packaging for a Sustainable and Circular Economy.

Packaging is fundamental to maintaining the quality of food, but its contribution with a negative footprint to the environment must be completely changed worldwide to reduce pollution and climate change. Innovative and sustainable packaging and new strategies of reutilization are necessary to reduce plastic waste accumulation, maintain food quality and safety, and reduce food losses and waste. The purpose of this chapter is to present innovations in food packaging for a sustainable and circular economy. First, to present the eco-design packaging approach as well as new strategies for recycled or recyclable materials in food packaging. Second, to show current trends in new packaging materials developed from the use of agro-industrial wastes as well as new methods of production, including 3D/4D printing, electrostatic spinning, and the use of nanomaterials.