By 2040, the world will be burdened with 1.3 billion tonnes of plastic
According to a global model, in the next 20 years, we will be facing a serious problem of plastic in the world.
According to this report, if steps are not taken on time, by 2040, about 1.3 billion tonnes of plastic will be present on our soil. This report has appeared in the journal Science.
Dr. Costas Wellis of the University of Leeds says this figure is shocking, but we have the technology and the opportunity to tackle this challenge.
Dr. Wellis explains, “This is the first comprehensive assessment of what a picture can be in the next 20 years. It is difficult to make such a big assessment, but if you start laying the entire plastic on a flat surface, It will cover up to 1.5 times the entire area of Britain. “
He says, “It is complicated to guess because plastic is present everywhere and in every part of the world. How to use it and how to deal with it is not an easy task.”
Use of plastic and disposal data
To convert this difficult problem into data, researchers have figured out the production, use, and disposal of plastic all over the world. After this, the team prepared a model so that future plastic pollution problem can be estimated.
They call it a normal process. Based on the current trend of increasing plastic production and no significant change in the amount of its reuse and recycling, researchers say that by 2040, there will be 1.3 billion tonnes of plastic worldwide.
‘What will be the situation in different scenarios’
By adjusting their model, researchers have the freedom to tell how far this data can be affected due to different changes. They have also made changes to their models based on the increase in recycling, reduced production and the use of other materials in place of plastics.
Winnie Lau of American Pew Charitable Trusts, funding for this research, said that it is very important to use every possible solution.
She says, “If we do this, we can reduce the amount of plastic going into the sea by 80 percent by 2040”.
Researchers suggested some solutions
Reduce the growth in plastic production and consumption
Use of paper, jute and other tarnished materials should be encouraged in place of plastic
Design products and packaging materials for re-cycling
Increase the waste collection rate in middle and low income countries and support the unorganized sector
Building facilities should handle 23% of the plastic that is not recycled in itself.
Reduce the export of plastic waste
Dr. Velis explains that even if all possible steps are taken, the model shows that in the next two decades, 71 million tonnes of plastic waste will get into the environment.
No solid cure for plastic problem
There is no concrete solution to solve the plastic problem. This study highlights a fact that is often ignored.
It has been told that about 2 billion people in the Global South (largely African, Latin American and developing countries of Asia) do not have garbage disposal facilities.
Dr. Velis says, “They either have to burn their garbage or throw it somewhere.”
Serious challenge in front of the world
Dr. Velis says, “Garbage collectors and pickers are soldiers on the recycling front who are not appreciated.” They say that policies should be made to help and support these people.
Dr. Ian Kane of the University of Manchester calls the picture that emerged from the figure of this study as frightening. Until recently, Ken was part of a team that assessed the amount of micro-plastic present in the ocean floor.
He says, “The rate at which plastic production is increasing to meet the growing demand around the world is going to have terrible consequences for the environment.”
