3 challenges in creating circularity of single use plastics
Vijay Raju & Aryata Agarwal
According to a report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, if we were to recycle 50% of plastic packaging waste globally by 2025, we could avoid 60% of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic production. But plastic recycling is a complex process that involves various challenges that hinder its widespread adoption.
One of the primary challenges is collection: Up to 32% of plastic packaging escapes collection systems and ends up polluting the environment. This is due to a variety of factors, including inadequate waste management infrastructure, low awareness and participation in recycling programs, and the difficulty of collecting plastic waste.
While advanced economies have created good waste collection infrastructure, the waste collection ecosystem in the emerging economies is informal. In India, mothers keep their newspapers, plastic bottles and glass bottles for the kabaddiwallahs (waste collectors) who come once in a week or fortnight in a bicycle. In exchange for the bottles, he may give a vessel, money or a plastic bucket. This incentive helps the mothers to store the waste. In India, there is an online business called kabaddiwalla.com to collect waste from home directly and these kind of models will increase the reach & create more awareness about plastic waste.
But there is no such incentive for Multi Layer Packaging that is used in biscuit packets and chips which are thrown away without consideration. In addition, there are certain types of plastic wastes such as diapers that are hard to collect. Nobody wants to pick it up because it is filled with poop. In emerging markets, this is a big challenge where on one hand, the convenience of diapers is creating massive demand and strong adoption. On the other hand, it also creates enormous amount of single use plastics that cannot be processed because it needs to be cleaned before it can be processed.
The next big challenge is sorting. Different types of plastics have different chemical compositions, making it challenging to sort them accurately. This means that only a fraction of plastic waste is recycled each year. According to the World Economic Forum, only 9% of the nine billion tons of plastic produced globally has been recycled.
For example, in Indonesia, there is a lack of infrastructure for plastic recycling, which makes sorting and recycling difficult. Different types of plastics are often mixed together, making it challenging to sort and recycle them. However, in Germany, there is a well-established recycling system where plastic waste is sorted by type and color. For example, PET bottles are sorted separately from HDPE containers, making it easier to recycle them.
Another challenge is contamination. Plastic waste is often contaminated with food residue, dirt, or other chemicals, making it difficult to recycle and affecting the quality of the recycled plastic. According to a report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, up to 32% of plastic packaging escapes collection systems and ends up polluting the environment.
For example, in the United States, plastic waste is often contaminated with non-recyclable materials, such as plastic film, which can clog up the recycling machines. For example, plastic bags or cling wrap often get mixed up with other plastics, making it difficult to recycle them.
In addition, the printing on the plastic causes the ink to mix with the plastic when it is melted and affect the color of the plastic pellets. This is a major problem. Alternative inks that could dissolve or can be washed may be a solution. But that may create a new problem. Presently, we are able to attribute some responsibility to the producers but the sustainable inks will leave no trace and the producers will shy away from any responsibility.
This is why single use plastics is such a wicked problem. We need to study the problem in a systemic fashion and then, align all stakeholders who are involved to create a workable solution.
You can also read our earlier post where we framed the problem
Framing the problem around single use plastics | Apr, 2023
Authors:
Vijay Raju is the Co-Founder of The Propel Labs. His innovation work has been featured in Lean Startup, Little Black Book of Innovation and First Mile. Vijay led India’s first Disney style digital animation series for Cartoon Network. He held impactful roles at WEF, Innosight and Crest Animation Studios. Vijay is a WEF Global Leadership Fellow.
Aryata Agarwal is a Serial Entrepreneur and the Head of Circularity & Ventures at The Propel Labs. Aryata most recently set up a plastic recycling business and is a strong proponent of circular materials. WEF Global Shaper who led Shaping Davos programming on mainstreaming sustainability. Coca-Cola global grant winner for a 3D printed arm. Wharton MBA.
