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New Plastic Recycling Rules in Australia

Posted on July 4, 2023July 4, 2023 by dishanth

The Background to the Decision

Since industrialization, humans have had a remarkable capacity to alter and change our environment on a large scale.

To facilitate the growth of industry, we have allowed companies and other organizations to pollute the environment indiscriminately with no regard for the people, creatures, and nature that have been impacted.

In most regards, we think of pollution as the toxic air spewed from industrial plants into our atmosphere. While that is a problem, make no mistake about it, there are other problems that rapid industrialization has had on our world.

One of those is plastic pollution, the byproduct of cheap disposable products wrapped in material that the environment cannot break down easily.

While some moves by industry have seen eco-friendly plastics being used in mass production, these examples are few and far between, to the dismay of eco-friendly citizens worldwide.

In some countries, though, that appears to be shifting. Recently a coalition of governments has pushed through legislation for new plastic recycling rules in Australia, forcing companies to take serious measures to curb their output of non-biodegradable plastic products.

How do the new Plastic Recycling Rules in Australia work?

The decision to impose new plastic recycling rules in Australia was made at the first meeting of federal and state environmental ministers in Sydney on Friday, June 9th. Tanya Plibersek, the federal environment minister, said that the “historic agreement” meant packaging would be “subject to strict new government rules.”

The new rules include the following:

A ban on single-use plastic bags.
A ban on selling disposable coffee cups made from expanded polystyrene (EPS).
A requirement for all plastic packaging to be recyclable or compostable by 2025.
A requirement for all plastic packaging to be labelled with clear information about its recyclability.

According to a communique released after the agreement, the new plastic recycling rules in Australia would shift the country towards a more circular economy, with the rules addressing three specific areas: packaging design, outlawing harmful chemicals and plastics, and harmonizing curbside plastic recycling.

These decisions were made in the backdrop of the goals Australia has set in regard to plastic recycling. The Australian government has said that the new rules will cost the economy $1.1 billion over the next ten years, but the benefits of reducing plastic waste outweigh the costs.

As per the voluntary model that Australia has right now, only 18% of plastic is recycled in the country, far short of the 70% goal by 2025 that it has set.

Many have come out supporting this move; the Boomerang Alliance, a coalition of 55 environment groups, stated that this was the first “substantial and meaningful step” to address plastic waste in over 20 years.

It’s not just environmentalists that are lauding this decision, as major companies such as Nestlé, Coca-Cola, and Unilever have all come out in support.

For the People, by the People.

Serious change needs to be made in order to address the problem of plastic waste pollution worldwide. While it would be nice to believe that companies would willingly make the decision to cut back and recycle on their own, the reality is that it isn’t in their best interest to do so.

These programs cost money, and the incentive for shareholders is to increase profits no matter what. Government regulations will force these companies to accept the new way of doing things as simply a cost of doing business, thus ensuring that the people’s best interest is upheld as a primary objective.

Ultimately, this is what governments are for, and hopefully, with the example of these new plastic recycling rules in Australia, this action will spur other governments in other countries to make similar decisions.

Source Happy Eco News

Eco-Friendly Crab Shell BioPlastic Wrap

Posted on June 21, 2023June 21, 2023 by dishanth

Recently, there has been a growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives to plastic. One promising option is a new type of crab shell bioplastic wrap made from waste grab shells and wood pulp. This new film is flexible, transparent, and can be used to wrap food like plastic wrap. It is also biodegradable and compostable, making it a more sustainable option for food packaging.

Crab Shell BioPlastic Wrap

The new crab shell bioplastic wrap is made by spraying alternating layers of chitin and cellulose fibres sourced from discarded crab shells and wood pulp, respectively, onto a polylactic acid (PLA) base. Chitin is a natural polymer that is found in the exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans. Cellulose is a natural polymer that is found in the cell walls of plants. PLA is a bio-based plastic that is made from renewable resources, such as corn starch.

The new plastic wrap has a number of advantages over traditional plastic wrap. It is made from renewable resources, is biodegradable and compostable, and does not release harmful toxins into the environment. It is also transparent, flexible, and odourless.

The main material that the new plastic wrap is compared to is PET or polyethylene terephthalate. It is one of the most common petroleum-based materials used in transparent packaging, such as vending machines and soft drink bottles. The material showed up to a 67 percent reduction in oxygen permeability compared to some forms of PET. This means that the new plastic wrap could, in theory, keep foods fresher for longer.

In addition to plastic film, PET plastic is used in a variety of applications, including:

Bottles: PET is the most common material used for beverage bottles, such as water, soda, and juice. It is also used for some food packaging, such as salad dressing and oil bottles.
Fibres: PET is used to make a variety of fibres, including polyester, which is used in clothing, carpets, and other textiles.
Films: PET makes various films, including food packaging, insulation, and tapes.
Other applications: PET is also used in various other applications, such as electronics, automotive parts, and construction materials.

The new plastic wrap is still in its early stages of development, but it can potentially be a major breakthrough in the fight against plastic pollution. As the technology continues to develop, it is likely to become more widely available and replace traditional plastic wrap in a number of applications.

Benefits of Using Crab Shell BioPlastic Wrap:

There are a number of benefits to using crab shell bioplastic wrap. These benefits include:

It is made from renewable resources: Eco-friendly plastic wrap is made from renewable resources, such as crab shells and wood pulp. This means that it does not contribute to the depletion of fossil fuels.
It is biodegradable and compostable: Eco-friendly plastic wrap is biodegradable and compostable. This means it will not harm the environment when disposed of.
It does not release harmful toxins into the environment: Eco-friendly plastic wrap does not release harmful toxins into the environment as it decomposes. This means that it is safe for people and animals.

Challenges of Using Crab Shell BioPlastic Wrap:

There are a few challenges to using crab shell bioplastic wrap. These include:

It is still in its early stages of development: Eco-friendly plastic wrap is still in its early stages of development. This means that it is not yet as widely available as traditional plastic wrap.
It can be more expensive than traditional plastic wrap: Eco-friendly plastic wrap can be more expensive than traditional plastic wrap. This is because it is made from renewable resources and is biodegradable.

Overall, eco-friendly plastic wrap is a promising alternative to traditional plastic wrap. It is made from renewable resources, is biodegradable and compostable, and does not release harmful toxins into the environment. As the technology continues to develop, it is likely to become more widely available and to replace traditional plastic wrap in a number of applications.

Source Happy Eco News

UAE to Ban Single-Use Plastic January 1, 2024

Posted on April 20, 2023April 20, 2023 by dishanth

In one of the world’s most crucial oil pricing regions, single-use plastic will be all but eliminated on January 1, 2024.

In 2017, we came to the island of Bali approximately halfway through a 10-month trip around the world with my family. We had been looking forward to the beaches and surfing for months, but when we arrived, we found them polluted with single-use plastic of all types. Due to a proliferation of corporate peddling of plastic convenience items but no meaningful way to manage trash or recycling in the communities, the local population discarded their waste in local ravines. The waste, flushed out to sea by winter monsoons, was deposited upon the (formerly) pristine beaches.

It is wonderful, therefore, to read that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently announced a ban on single-use plastic items, from cutlery to cigarette butts. The ban is part of an effort to reduce the plastic waste in the world’s oceans, a number generally estimated at around 8 million new tons each year. The announcement brings hope to environmentalists worldwide, showing us that even countries with an economic interest in oil-based plastic production are stepping up to make positive changes.

By banning single-use plastic products, the UAE is taking a big step forward regarding sustainability. Not only will this help reduce the amount of plastic waste in the ocean, but it will also encourage people to make more sustainable choices when they shop or eat out.

According to a 2019 report from the World Bank, the UAE ranked 11th in per capita consumption of single-use plastic. The report states that 11 billion single-use plastic items in the UAE are consumed annually, an average of 4.8kg per person or about 4 million tonnes per year for the entire country. This number contrasts with the global average of 3.25 kilograms per person. For reference, the highest-ranking countries for plastic waste are Japan, with 8 million tonnes and the USA, with 7.2 million tonnes, but a much higher population, resulting in lower per capita rates.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will ban most single-use plastics starting January 1, 2024. The ban includes everything from food packaging to plastic bottles, cotton sticks, crackers and chip bags, wet wipes, balloons and even balloon sticks that contain plastic. They also include cigarette butts and compostable plastic shopping bags, which while a good idea when used properly, often end up in the environment and can take decades to biodegrade outside a civic composting facility.

The UAE has introduced incentives for businesses to switch to reusable packing. They include subsidies for investments in reusable packaging, tax incentives for companies that reduce their plastic consumption, and grants for research projects on reducing plastic waste. The government has also introduced a new “Plastic Smart” program encouraging citizens to reduce their use of single-use plastics. It also enables businesses to reward customers who bring reusable items.

With these incentives in place, many businesses in the UAE have already begun to take steps to reduce their plastic consumption. For example, many hotels and resorts have started replacing plastic straws with paper or metal alternatives, while others are providing refillable bottles to customers instead of single-use plastic ones.

The immediate environmental benefits of the UAE’s ban on single-use plastics are apparent. By eliminating single-use plastics, the UAE will significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste in the ocean every year. This plastic ban, in turn, will prevent the destruction of marine life and reduce the risk of pollution from microplastics in the food chain and the greenhouse gasses emitted as plastic degrades over time.

The UAE is one of many countries to reduce plastic pollution in recent years. Countries like Canada, China, France, and the UK have also implemented similar bans. With continued effort, single-use plastics can be reduced or eliminated in the coming years.

Source Happy Eco News

Happy Green Year! French eco-friendly packaging laws go into effect

Posted on January 3, 2022 by dishanth

New laws, including a ban on plastic packaging for several fruits and vegetables came into effect in France on New Year’s Day. The measures aimed at reducing pollution will also prevent manufacturers from dumping certain clothing, hygiene and furniture products that have not been sold.

Environmentalists have long campaigned against single-use plastics as pollution worsens globally while President Emmanuel Macron has backed the move defending a “pragmatic” approach.

The October decree covers for example the sale of under 1.5 kilos (3.3 lbs) of apples.

However, the full legislation will not be applied until 2026, allowing firms to adapt, including on the sale of red fruits considered fragile. Six months has also been granted to use up existing plastic packaging stocks.

“We were never consulted,” complained Laurent Grandin, head of the fruit and vegetable sector’s Interfel association.

He told AFP the costs were “insurmountable” for small companies who would have to keep using plastic to protect exports, notably to Britain, a major client for apples.

But Armand Chaigne, director of industrial markets at packaging firm DS Smith, sees the benefits, notably for cardboard manufacturers.

“It is estimated that in Europe, out of the eight million tonnes of plastic produced per year for single-use packaging, 1.5 million tonnes could already be removed,” he told AFP.

“That represents about 70 billion units of single-use plastic packaging”, or “about €7 billion ($7.9 billion) of additional turnover potential for cardboard”, he said.

Source France 24