The use of plastic materials is increasing inexorably on the planet. However, countries that consume manufactured or packaged products are unable to limit and recycle their waste. The richest get rid of the problem by exporting these plastics — recyclable or not — to Asian countries. Since China closed its borders in 2018, it is the poorest countries, such as Malaysia, Thailand, or Indonesia, that have inherited this global market.
In the USA, residents commonly hire a dumpster rental to get rid of their junk. At the end of the sorting, large cubes of compacted waste (paper, cardboard, plastic, etc.) are produced. This waste had been purchased for decades by companies, mainly in China, who cleaned it, crushed it, and reprocessed it into raw materials for manufacturers. These importers turned a blind eye when the plastic bales were too dirty or were not pure enough.
Until recently China bought more than half of the recyclable waste exported by the United States. Globally, since 1992, 72% of plastic waste has ended up in China and Hong Kong, according to a study published in Science Advances.
But since 2020, China’s borders have been closed to most paper and plastic, a consequence of a new environmental policy from Beijing… Chinese leaders say they want to stop being the planet’s trash can, or even its dump. For the rest, including metal and cardboard, Chinese inspectors have set a contamination rate of 0.5%, too low for current American technologies that cannot sort waste as precisely. The sector ultimately expects that almost all categories of waste will be rejected by 2025.
Plastic waste overwhelming
Plastic is everywhere, even in tap water. A study conducted by scientists at the initiative of the Orb media website, assures that everywhere in the world, drinking water is contaminated by microplastics, and this in quantities that vary from one country to another.
According to The Guardian, which echoes this work, scientists are calling for research to look into the implications of this presence of plastic for human health. Until now, scientists have particularly studied the quantities of plastic found in the ocean and likely to be ingested by humans through fish and seafood. However, the results are worrying: of all the tap water samples taken in 12 countries, 83% of them contained plastic fibers.
The United States is the most contaminated
Europe is doing rather better than the rest of the world. European countries, including the UK, Germany and France, have the lowest rate, which still stands at 72%, according to The Guardian. The average number of plastic fibres found in each 500ml sample of tap water is 4.8 in the US, compared to 1.9 in Europe.
In the USA, the authors of the study found plastic fibres in 94% of the samples analysed. Samples were taken from places such as Congress, the offices of the Environmental Protection Agency and Trump Tower, in New York. In Indonesia, this level rises to 76%, 79% in Ecuador, 81% in Uganda, 82% in India and 94% in Lebanon, according to Orb media.
Of course humanity depends on the world’s oceans – for their temperature, chemistry, currents and wildlife. How we manage this vital resource is also critical to offsetting the effects of climate change. More than three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods. However, 30% of the world’s fish stocks are now overfished, well below levels that can sustain a sustainable yield.
The oceans also absorb around 30% of the carbon dioxide emitted by humans, and there has been a 26% increase in ocean acidification since the start of the industrial revolution. Marine pollution, mainly from land-based sources, is at alarming levels, with an average of 13,000 pieces of plastic waste under every square kilometre of ocean.
How the government of Texas is fighting plastic pollution
The government of Texas has implemented a range of initiatives to combat plastic pollution, focusing on both prevention, management strategies and better dumpster rental services. Recognizing the environmental and public health risks associated with plastic waste, Texas has encouraged local governments and communities such as San Antonio to adopt policies aimed at reducing single-use plastics. For example, several cities within the state have enacted bans or restrictions on plastic bags, despite the state government’s challenges to such measures.
Moreover, Texas has invested in public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the importance of reducing plastic use, recycling, and properly disposing of waste. The state of TX also supports recycling programs and has provided grants to municipalities for improving waste management infrastructure.
In addition to local efforts, Texas participates in larger regional initiatives, such as the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, which addresses marine debris and plastic pollution in coastal areas. The state’s focus on innovation is evident in its support for research into alternative materials and sustainable practices in the manufacturing and packaging industries.
While challenges remain, particularly with the diverse and sprawling nature of Texas, these combined efforts reflect a growing commitment to reducing plastic pollution and protecting the state’s natural resources.
