plastic waste
The numbers:
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In 2013, 300 million tons of plastic were produced globally.
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In Asia, it is estimated up to 40% of all plastic waste is littered or burned. (UNEP)
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10-20 million tons of plastic are disposed in the ocean every year.
Durable, convenient, and cheap, plastic production has been on the rise for the last 50 years. Plastic bags, bottles, and packaging have become ubiquitous in today's industrialized world.
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Plastic is produced from fossil fuels like petroleum, which emit greenhouse gases contributing to climate change.
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In the oceans...
Because our oceans are so littered with plastic, more and more marine animals are eating and become tangled in the waste, which often kills them. As plastics break down into microplastics, they can also transfer chemical pollutants up the food chain.
SOLUTIONS:
between the producer and the consumer
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​Producer:
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recycling systems
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(While a highly effective solution, studies have shown that even in the U.S., only 9% of plastics were recycled in 2012.)
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provide more durable, reusable products​
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use more recyclable/compostable materials
Consumer:
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reduce consumption
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education on impacts
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reducing single-use plastics -- e.g. bring reusable containers
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plastic tax or "re-use" discount
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improve disposal practices
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raise awareness about littering problem -- e.g. Community Clean Up
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trash sorting campaign
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Sources: Worldwatch Institute, European Commission
Resources:
Local Projects:
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Nationwide Earth Day Clean Up (awareness)
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Green Turtle Army (education)
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Clean Up Vietnam
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Smoothie Cup Initiative (ecoSSIStem)
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Plastax (ESCA13)
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credits: Vietnam Sach va Xanh