10 Examples of Plastic Soup Prevention What can we do now to prevent the generation of Plastic Soup?
by Siem Haffmans
PRIORITY SOURCES FOR PREVENTION The following sources of plastics have been selected, because they are most often present in the oceans and seas: 1
fishing equipment
8
consumer packaging
2
shopping bags
9
cosmetics
3
disposables
10
balloons
4
bottles & caps
11
… and so many other things
5
hygiene products
6
textiles
7
logistic packaging
1
FISHING EQUIPMENT
Each year approximately 640,000 tonnes of fishing equipment are being discarded, making up about one tenth of overall ocean pollution.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Natural and biodegradable ropes and nets: • made from natural materials • marine-degradable biopolymers (PLA or PHA) Eagle Claw - Bioline • 100% biodegradable fishing line (material?). • Bioline degradation occurs in the outdoor environment regardless of whether it’s above or below the water.
2
SHOPPING BAGS
1 trillion plastic bags are used and discarded every year…!
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Reusable shopper • preferable made of post-consumer recycled materials or biodegradable, natural materials Biodegradable bags • made from bio-based materials • marine-degradable • recyclable Recycled bags • made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic • recycling system must be closed
10 examples of Plastic Soup prevention | Siem Haffmans
3
DISPOSABLES
Global demand for foodservice disposables is forecast to increase 4.8 percent annually through 2013. The U.S. will remain the largest market, while more rapid growth is expected in China and other developing regions.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Deposit event cups • reuseable (25-100 times) • recyclable • unbreakable Biodegradable trays and cups • palmleave plates (Hampy) • PLA cups Recycling • Cup2paper (SITA)
4
BOTTLES AND CAPS
In the middle of the North Pacific Ocean, on a tiny island 1,000 miles from the nearest big city, many Laysan albatross chicks die each year because their bellies are full of bottle caps, toothbrushes and other plastic waste.* *) “Montery Bay Aquarium, Laysan (www.monterybataquarium.org)
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Reusable bottles • refill (Dopper) Bio-degradable bottles • 100% bio-degradable and recyclable (Prima) • should be marine degradable Recycled bottles • 100% recycled PET (Innocent) • recycling system must be closed
5
HYGIENE PRODUCTS
Each baby will use about 6000 diapers before being potty trained. Because people are living longer, the use of adult incontinence diapers is also on the rise
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Reuseable products • UK-based company Knowaste claims that they are the “world’s first provider of a recycling solution for nappies, adult incontinence and feminine hygiene products”. Biodegradable products • bio-based materials • should be marine degradable • packaging must be recyclable
10 examples of Plastic Soup prevention | Siem Haffmans
6
TEXTILES
An important source of microplastic appears to be sewage contaminated by fibres from the washing of clothes. Experiments with sampling of wastewater from domestic washing machines demonstrated that a single garment can produce >1900 fibres per wash.* *) “Accumulations of microplastic on shorelines worldwide: sources and sinks”, Mark Anthony Browne, e.o., Downloaded from http://pubs.acs.org on September 14, 2011
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Biodegradable fibres: cotton, bamboo, hemp, etc. Tencel® (cellulose fibres), Primarily made from Eucalyptus wood. Eucalyptus is an evergreen plant which grows to a height of up to 40 meters.
7
TRANSPORT PACKAGING
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Reusable Packaging • leading companies in a wide variety of industries across the globe, prefer reusable packaging for the economic, social and environmental value that re-use provides. Recyclable • plastic pallets and crates can be made of recycled plastics and can be recycled after being used for tens of years Biodegradable • BIO8 > 100% Bio-based ingredients (starch foam) and 100% Compostable • should be marine degradable
8
CONSUMER PACKAGING
The market for rigid plastic packaging for food and drink in Europe is expected to achieve above average growth in volume terms between 2010 and 2015. (Source: Pira International)
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: No packaging • take care of product damage or foodwaste Reusable packaging • reusable packaging Recycling • use 100% recycled materials • recycling system must be closed Biodegradable packaging • 100% Bio-degradable (Paperfoam) • should be marine-degradable
10 examples of Plastic Soup prevention | Siem Haffmans
9
COSMETICS
According to a recent study, microplastics have now replaced natural exfoliating materials (such as pumice, oatmeal, apricot and walnut husks) in many facial cleansers. The majority of facial cleansers available today list polyethylene as an ingredient, sometimes describing it as “micro-beads” or “micro-exfoliates” Slate Explainer article on biodegradation: “Will My Plastic Bag Still Be Here in 2507?” 27 June 2007 Accessed September 2010: http://www.slate.com/id/2169287/nav/navoa/
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Biodegradable ingredients • Aveda: essential oils and herbal ingredients (certified organic) • no micro-beads or plastics Packaging • reusable or minimized packaging • 100% recyclable and post-consumer recycled materials • marine degradable
10
BALLOONS
What goes up must come down! Balloons return to the land and sea where they can be mistaken for prey and eaten by animals. Sea turtles, dolphins, whales, fish, and seabirds have been reported with balloons in their stomachs. It is believed that they mistake balloons for jellyfish which are their natural prey.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Don’t release balloons • plant a tree, blow bubbles, … Biodegradable materials • balloons should be marine-degradable Packaging • reusable or minimized packaging • 100% recyclable and recycled material
11
OTHER THINGS
Many other things end up in the seas and oceans
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Refuse and reduce • think before you buy! Re-use and recycle • use 100% recyclable and post-consumer recycled materials Biodegradable materials • use bio-based materials • materials should be marine-degradable
10 examples of Plastic Soup prevention | Siem Haffmans
Partners for Innovation | Siem Haffmans - Copyright Š 2011
Thanks to:
PLASTIC SOUP FOUNDATION - WORKING GROUP STRATEGY AND INNOVATION:
Hans van Weenen, Wouter Lubberts, Ruud Halbertsma, Jeroen Dagevos GRAPHIC DESIGN:
Harmen Spek - Lartido.com 10 examples of Plastic Soup prevention | Siem Haffmans