Eco- page Plastic!
One thing we cannot escape is plastic waste. Global plastic waste is expected to reach 1.7 billion metric tonnes (MT’s) by 2060, costing a cumulative $281 trillion by some estimates. Did you know the first commercially produced plastic was called Bakelite, invented by Leo Baekeland in 1907? The plastics industry is now worth more than $700 billion and is dominated by 20 companies led by Chinese energy company Sinopec, followed by Exxon Mobile and Dow inc. Because plastics are made from petroleum and natural gas, some of the biggest energy companies are also plastics manufacturers and are also influential lobbyists. More than 460 million MT’s of plastic are produced every single year, and plastic production is anticipated to double by 2050. Plastic breaks down into microplastics and nano-plastics (which are 100 times smaller than the width of a human hair) and are found in our environment (air, water, soil, ice), in food and drinks, and even inside the human body (blood, lungs, bone marrow, brain, etc.) We do not yet know what harm this is doing to us.
It is estimated that more than 90% of microplastics are in the ocean. We don’t know exactly how much plastic is in our oceans and seas, but we are adding an estimated 11 million MT’s a year and this could double in the next 15 years and is likely to weigh more than all the fish in the oceans.
Of the 8.3 billion MT’s of plastic produced since 1950, more than 75% still exists, either in landfill sites or dumped. Only 9% had been recycled and the remaining 16% incinerated. Here in the UK, we produce 5 million MT’s of plastic waste annually with 44% “recycled”. Frustratingly, 60% of this 44% is sent to Turkey where it is often dumped or incinerated, so we have plenty of room for improvement.
The United Nations Organisation aims to deal with the plastic production and waste issue by drawing up a legally binding treaty that addresses the full life cycle of plastics and in August they held a very important conference in Geneva called INC-5.2 (International Negotiating Committee’s 2nd part of the 5th meeting!) which failed to get an agreement on limits for plastic pollution. The discussions are set to continue at some later point, but countries who produce vast amounts of plastic are not willing to compromise. There was also disagreement whether controls should be voluntary or legally binding and how decisions should be made (either consensus or voting). Several countries, including the UK expressed their disappointment that no agreement was reached, but are willing to continue the talks. Meanwhile plastic production and waste continues to grow.
Types of Plastic Waste
Plastic waste is a complex type of waste since it encompasses many types of plastic. Some plastics are recyclable and others are not. Below, I’ve explained a little about each type of plastic:
PET plastics (polyethylene terephthalate) PET is commonly used in bottles and food packaging. While recyclable, a large percentage still ends up in landfills.
HDPE plastics (high-density polyethene) Found in milk jugs, detergent bottles, and pipes, HDPE is durable and recyclable but often discarded improperly.
LDPE plastics (low-density polyethene) Used in plastic bags and wraps, LDPE is less commonly recycled due to the difficulty of processing it.
Polypropylene (PP) PP is used in straws, bottle caps, and food containers. Although recyclable, many facilities do not accept it, leading to higher disposal rates. Maria Boys.
Eco Prayer
Creator God, source of all life
You spoke, and the universe burst into being Abundant, full of wonder and life,
Everything expressing praise to You, God of wonders!
We add our voices to the praises of the created world.
We pray this month that in our journey alongside you
We may serve you by our prayers for our world,
and the challenges we face in the warming climate.
Inspire us by your Holy Spirit To act faithfully
to safeguard Creation in every way we are able,
Not thinking of ourselves But loving our neighbours in all places
So that in our Synod, as in our local churches,
and the whole company of your Church
Your Righteousness, Justice and Peace may flow
In love to all
Amen (from Wessex Synod)