PLASTIC RECYCLING CRISIS
This week some explosive plastic news has emerged into the public domain! Proposals announced from the Chinese government this week indicated, that it would impose a ban on imported plastic waste, known as the yang laji (foreign garbage). We are luckily reminded in these difficult situations, that our political leaders are those with strong rational temperaments and composure. The news poses significant issues for the UK plastic recycling operation, whereby China is the largest recipient of our recycled plastic waste. The wider repercussions stemming from our disposable society and the lack of an economic paradigm shift, involve councils imposing putative taxes to expand recycling operations or having to find new alternative countries to export our recycled plastic waste. More disconcerting however, is the lack of engagement from our Cabinet ministers with the Chinese ban of plastic waste, indicated this week with an acerbic quote from the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP:
“I don’t know what impact it will have. It is ... something to which – I will be completely honest – I have not given it sufficient thought.”
The lack of political engagement coupled with international plastic recycling changes suggests now more than ever, we need rational economic change and the incorporation of alternative plastic materials for a sustainable future in the UK.
Figure 1: Plastic Recycling. Source: National Geographic.
Hey Miles!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think are the chances of the UK merely shifting its focus on another country as its plasticky dumping ground, as opposed to treating China's ban as an indication that we need to cut down on plastic waste?
Hey Mari!
DeleteI think that appears as the potential likelihood, with the article detailing that Malaysia and Vietnam will likely absorb the Chinese plastic waste capacity! It's a great shame as the ban could provide a catalyst for the UK to finally start tackling the plastic pollution endemic, utilising emergent solutions such as bioplastics or imposing restrictions on single-use plastics!