China is refusing to be the recycling bin for the world any longer. The recycling crisis arises.
For the longest time, plastic companies are funding campaigns that led the public consumers to believe that all plastics are recyclable so we can keep purchasing their products without feeling guilty. However, it turns out that only a small fraction (about 10%) of the entire plastics from various products are recyclable. The majority of the plastics end up in the landfill, in the ocean or get burnt and contribute to serious environmental damages in the ocean and in the air.
The immediate impact for the third world countries that serve as the dumping ground for the world’s trash. As shown in the documentary, Malaysia villages have found dozens of illegal recycling factories that have miles and miles of trash just outside of town centers and every day, toxic smokes are detected from the trash burning. It was initially a win-win because of the cheaper labor for waste and recycling management for developed countries and the profit from selling recycled materials for the developing countries. However, the environmental impact from the recycling practices can no longer be overlooked. The entire plastic industry and downstream industries need to take a hard look at the environmental impact, no matter where it happens, it impacts the entire planet eventually. What is our way out of the plastic cycle? When can we commit to a transition plan and the timeline? It requires highly concerted efforts from governments, industry partners, and communities to push the green initiatives forward, and resolve this issue from the root cause of demand, and work with innovative technological and program partners to push the green initiatives forward.
Why do we bear this? Asked the village woman earnestly in the documentary.
Why do we bear this?
Why do we bear this?
