Plastic Waste Management At The Government Level

Effective Plastic Waste Management At All Levels



With the plastic bag usage not dropping, there exists a need to have effective plastic waste management. This can be accomplished at numerous levels - including the individual, the society and the government levels. Individuals could take several modest, but meaningful actions that can help deal with the waste. One of these are to make sure that waste containing plastic bags are separated from vegetable along with other easily degradable waste. It will boost the effectiveness of the waste management process. At the societal level, people must entice other individuals to dispose of plastic bags and products in public trash cans offered specifically for it.



Plastic waste management at the government level



Plastic waste management at the government level could be made more effective by urging people to routinely participate in the generation of ideas which can help with the process. The European Commission has used this measure and has started a public consultation on whether plastic bags must be reduced or not. Both, individuals and businesses have been urged to give their views on this matter. In an attempt to tackle the challenge of increasing plastic waste in the continent, the European Commission has questioned people if plastic bags should really be banned or taxed. The public consultation will start this month and will go on till August.



People to have a say



People can provide their particular ideas on how waste related to plastic bag usage could be minimized. Additionally, they could provide their suggestions on how plastic bags might be labeled to inform people that they are biodegradable. Although a few countries have started taxation and voluntary agreements with those in the retail segment for ceasing use of plastic bags, the European Union (EU) is yet to put specific laws in place. EU has stated that every year, an average resident in Europe utilizes almost 500 plastic bags, of which none are reused.



Ireland and Italy successful with bans on plastic



One nation that has efficiently established a levy on plastic bag use is Ireland. In 2002, the country started a tax on plastic bags, which in turn helped lower the use of the bags from 328 to 21 for each person. Another country, Italy has implemented an even more strict measure, which bans specific plastic bag types. The latest consultation has proposed that all biodegradable plastic bags have a label indicating that they'll degrade naturally in the environment. Similarly, compostable bags should indicate that they can break down only when put in a composting facility. As reported by the Commission, without these labels, people will probably litter.



Opt for eco bags and save marine life



Despite the fact that almost all plastic bags used are biodegradable, they are placed in landfills. As well, sometimes they get transported to the rivers and the seas if the fact that the bags are made of plastic escapes notice. This happens mainly because plastic bags generally weigh very less and are small. Estimates imply that about 250 billion plastic particles from 500 tons of plastic float on the Mediterranean. Often, marine animals ingest these plastic particles or bags, which usually choke and kill them. The particles that float also soak up pollutants, primarily organic ones, which have an effect on marine life negatively. The best method to reduce the likelihood of plastic turning up in water bodies and impacting life forms in it is to use eco bags made of jute, cotton or any material that is easily biodegradable.



Jeffrey Danielson is an incredibly experienced author debating environment friendly and sustainability dilemmas also dispersing the knowledge to businesses to utilize eco shopping bags and eco friendly tradeshow bags to promote both their brand name and consciousness for our earth.