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"What a waste!" It's the expression I'm using as I react at this statistics, which are scary and the same time give me the impression that nothing can be worse than it is right now.

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It is crucial for individuals, businesses, and governments to take action to reduce plastic consumption and properly manage plastic waste to minimize the impact of plastic pollution.

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It is wonderful how you stated the information you collected from the sources. Plastic pollution is a big problem that we as humans must take into consideration to preserve our environment.

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It is alarming how we don't focus enough on the problem of plastics in our ocean. We need to definitely inform ourselves about how we can make a change.

Angelina garcía Martínez A01281777

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I absolutely love the way you stated all your stuff, as a matter of fact, I investigated about the same topic and it is alarming to know these things are a reality.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/business-64703976
Could waste plastic become a useful fuel source?
Plastic waste dumps, says Prof Erwin Reisner, could be the oil fields of the future.

"Effectively, plastic is another form of fossil fuel," says Prof Reisner, who is professor of energy and sustainability at the University of Cambridge. "It's rich in energy and in chemical composition, which we want to unlock."

But the chemical bonds that make up plastics are made to last and, of the seven billion tonnes ever created, less than 10% has been recycled.

Dilyana Mihaylova, plastics programme manager for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, says: "Our extractive, take-make-waste economy [means] billions of dollars' worth of valuable materials are lost."

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Plastic waste dumps, says Prof Erwin Reisner, could be the oil fields of the future.

"Effectively, plastic is another form of fossil fuel," says Prof Reisner, who is professor of energy and sustainability at the University of Cambridge. "It's rich in energy and in chemical composition, which we want to unlock."

Dilyana Mihaylova, plastics programme manager for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, says: "Our extractive, take-make-waste economy [means] billions of dollars' worth of valuable materials are lost."

Worldwide, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year - roughly the same weight as all of humanity. Today, around 85% ends up in landfill or is lost to the environment where it will stay for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years.

Now the race is on to find the best way to break those chemical bonds and reclaim the Earth's precious resources locked into plastic.

"So," says Ms Mihaylova, "just as we can't recycle our way out of the plastics pollution crisis, we can't rely on plastics-to-fuel processes to solve the problem either."

Could a new solar-powered system show the way forward?

The system works by integrating catalysts, chemical compounds which accelerate a chemical reaction, into a light absorber.

"Our process works at room temperature and room pressure," he says.

"Reactions run automatically when you expose it to sunlight. You don't need anything else."

And, assures Prof Reisner, the process produces no harmful waste.

"The chemistry is clean," he says.

Other solar-powered technologies hold promise for tackling plastic pollution and CO2 conversion, but this is the first time they have been combined in a single process.

"Combining the two means we add value to the process," says Prof Reisner. "We now have four value streams - the mitigation of plastic waste, the mitigation of CO2, and the production of two valuable chemicals. We hope this will bring us close to commercialisation."

In addition, Prof Reiner says his system can handle otherwise unrecyclable plastic waste.

"Usually, plastic contaminated with food waste goes to incineration, but this plastic is really good for us. In fact, food is a good substrate - so it makes our process work better."

Researchers around the world are looking for ways to turn unwanted plastic into something useful.

When broken down, the elements of plastic can be re-made into a myriad of new products including detergents, lubricants, paints and solvents, and biodegradable compounds for use in biomedical applications.

Nature has found ways of breaking down polymers - substances made up of very large molecules - and plastic is a synthetic polymer.

"There are already bacteria out there that have enzymes designed to break [polymers] down," says Dr Victoria Bemmer, senior research fellow at the University of Portsmouth.

"We can tweak these enzymes by changing the structure of them very slightly - to make them go faster, make them more firm or stable."

The enzymes break the plastic down in a similar way to chemical recycling, says Dr Bemmer but, because they are akin to enzymes found in nature, the process can be done in much more "benign conditions".

Where chemical recycling uses chemicals, the Portsmouth University team are able to use water. And the highest temperature they need is 70C, meaning energy consumption can be kept low compared to other processes.

However, recycling synthetic fabrics using enzymes is not easy. The addition of dyes and other chemical treatments make it difficult for them to be degraded in a natural process.

"Polyester is an absolute pain," says Dr Bemmer. "Plus, it's very rarely just pure polyester. You find mixed fibres as well."

"We're at a very early stage," says Dr Bemmer. "We don't know yet if the dyes and additives to these fabrics will inhibit the action of the enzymes on the polyester chain. Hopefully they won't have an impact and we can just carry on but if they do, we can develop our enzymes further."

Worldwide production of plastic continues to increase, and is expected to triple by 2060. For many, recycling remains the focus in addressing the issue, but some argue this will never be enough.

Back in Cambridge, Prof Reisner's team are taking "baby steps in the direction" of commercialisation. They plan to develop the system over the next five years to produce more complex products and hope that one day the technique could be used to develop an entirely solar-powered recycling plant.

"If we can make syngas, we can access almost all of the petrochemical industry and make it sustainable."

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Could waste plastic become a useful fuel source?

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Plastic waste dumps, says Prof Erwin Reisner, could be the oil fields of the future. "Effectively, plastic is another form of fossil fuel," says Prof Reisner, who is professor of energy and sustainability at the University of Cambridge. "It's rich in energy and in chemical composition, which we want to unlock."

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According to CNN NEWS, In a bid to decrease plastic waste, Bangladeshi scientist Mubarak Ahmad Khan invented a plastic bag alternative with the help of a local natural fiber. Something very innovative for the modern world.

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In a bid to decrease plastic waste, Bangladeshi scientist Mubarak Ahmad Khan invented a plastic bag alternative with the help of a local natural fiber.

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Tell Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé to stop fueling the climate crisis

Beyond poisoning our oceans and marine life with plastic waste, the fossil fuel industry — makers of plastic — is fueling the climate crisis.

More than 99 percent of plastic is made from fossil fuels, and by 2050, the oil and petrochemical industry wants to triple plastic production as the next frontier. This means fossil fuel companies are gearing up to shift production to pump out more and more plastic packaging for major global consumers, like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé.

This transition by the fossil fuel industry from oil to plastics will be just as harmful for people and the planet. Petrochemical and plastic production have deadly health and environmental impacts and a long history of environmental racism, from the U.S. Gulf Coast's “Cancer Alley” where the plastic industry is poisoning Black, Brown and Frontline communities to China's "Cancer Village" in the Global South.

To tackle the climate crisis, we must break free from single-use plastics made from fossil fuels.

Tell Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé to ditch plastic made from fossil fuels and switch to reuse and refill solutions NOW.

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Tell Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé to stop fueling the climate crisis - Greenpeace

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Add your name to urge Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé to single-use ditch plastic to stop fueling the climate crisis.

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https://www.wwf.org.uk/what-can-i-do
MEASURE YOUR FOOTPRINT

Climate change is one of the biggest threats to people and nature. Find out how to reduce your impact.

HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE RECIPES

The food we eat shouldn’t cost the Earth – but it often does. Reduce the impact of the food you eat by trying some of these planet-friendly recipes.

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We can win the biggest battles in the smallest moments. Whether it's changing the way you eat to help shape our food system or calling on world leaders to come together and act to protect nature; we all have a role to play in the fight for our world.

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https://www.nrdc.org/stories/10-ways-reduce-plastic-pollution

1. Wean yourself off disposable plastics.
2. Stop buying water.
3. Boycott microbeads.
4. Cook more.
5. Purchase items secondhand.
6. Recycle (duh).
7. Support a bag tax or ban.
8. Buy in bulk.
9. Bring your own garment bag to the dry cleaner.
10. Put pressure on manufacturers.

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This constant barrage (the equivalent of 136 billion milk jugs each year, estimates a study published in the journal Science) poses a serious danger to marine life. Animals can get tangled up in this trash or ingest it-either because they mistake it as prey or because the plastic has been broken down into tiny particles by seawater.

Plastic, of course, is uniquely problematic because it's nonbiodegradable and therefore sticks around for a lot longer (like up to 1,000 years longer) than other forms of trash. And we're not just talking about people dumping their garbage overboard. Around 80 percent of marine litter actually originates on land-either swept in from the coastline or carried to rivers from the streets during heavy rain via storm drains and sewer overflows.

So the best thing we can do to protect our waterways is try to keep as much plastic as possible out of the waste stream in the first place. The good news? There are many small ways you can have a big impact.

1. Wean yourself off disposable plastics.

Ninety percent of the plastic items in our daily lives are used once and then chucked: grocery bags, plastic wrap, disposable cutlery, straws, coffee-cup lids. Take note of how often you rely on these products and replace them with reusable versions. It only takes a few times of bringing your own bags to the store, silverware to the office, or travel mug to Starbucks before it becomes habit.

2. Stop buying water.

Each year, close to 20 billion plastic bottles are tossed in the trash. Carry a reusable bottle in your bag, and you'll never be caught having to resort to a Poland Spring or Evian again. If you're nervous about the quality of your local tap water, look for a model with a built-in filter.

3. Boycott microbeads.

Those little plastic scrubbers found in so many beauty products-facial scrubs, toothpaste, body washes-might look harmless, but their tiny size allows them to slip through water-treatment plants. Unfortunately, they also look just like food to some marine animals. Opt for products with natural exfoliants, like oatmeal or salt, instead.

4. Cook more.

Not only is it healthier, but making your own meals doesn't involve takeout containers or doggy bags. For those times when you do order in or eat out, tell the establishment you don't need any plastic cutlery or, for some serious extra credit, bring your own food-storage containers to restaurants for leftovers.

5. Purchase items secondhand.

New toys and electronic gadgets, especially, come with all kinds of plastic packaging-from those frustrating hard-to-crack shells to twisty ties. Search the shelves of thrift stores, neighborhood garage sales, or online postings for items that are just as good when previously used. You'll save yourself a few bucks, too.

It seems obvious, but we're not doing a great job of it. For example, less than 14 percent of plastic packaging is recycled. Confused about what can and can't go in the bin? Check out the number on the bottom of the container. Most beverage and liquid cleaner bottles will be #1 (PET), which is commonly accepted by most curbside recycling companies. Containers marked #2 (HDPE; typically slightly heavier-duty bottles for milk, juice, and laundry detergent) and #5 (PP; plastic cutlery, yogurt and margarine tubs, ketchup bottles) are also recyclable in some areas. For the specifics on your area, check out Earth911.org's recycling directory.

7. Support a bag tax or ban.

Urge your elected officials to follow the lead of those in San Francisco, Chicago, and close to 150 other cities and counties by introducing or supporting legislation that would make plastic-bag use less desirable.

8. Buy in bulk.

Single-serving yogurts, travel-size toiletries, tiny packages of nuts-consider the product-to-packaging ratio of items you tend to buy often and select the bigger container instead of buying several smaller ones over time.

9. Bring your own garment bag to the dry cleaner.

Invest in a zippered fabric bag and request that your cleaned items be returned in it instead of sheathed in plastic. (And while you're at it, make sure you're frequenting a dry cleaner that skips the perc, a toxic chemical found in some cleaning solvents.)

10. Put pressure on manufacturers.

Though we can make a difference through our own habits, corporations obviously have a much bigger footprint. If you believe a company could be smarter about its packaging, make your voice heard. Write a letter, send a tweet, or hit them where it really hurts: Give your money to a more sustainable competitor.

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The first step towards a plastic pollution solution is learning how to reduce plastic use. Follow these steps to do your part in keeping our earth a cleaner place.

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The incorrect deposit of plastic bottles is one of the most ubiquitous and harmful forms of plastic waste. According to several studies more than a million plastic bottles are sold in the world every minute, and obviously the most part of them end up in the ocean or in landfills, not counting the ones that end up un natural habitats that aren't recorded, where they are unsupervised and take thousands of years to decompose.

An effective way to tackle this problem is through bottle deposit systems, you surely have seen how there are big containers that are designated as collection points in exchange for profit. These containers have been shown to significantly increase the recycling rates and clearly reduce littering. One of the countries that has been more advanced in this aspect has been Germany, which has widely adopted a recycling culture.

And the one Adex and I believe is the most effective way of fighting this issue is by asking the companies to change their processes and infrastructure. Currently many plastic bottles are incorrectly deposited because of the hard recycling facilities, it would be better if they invested in better recycling technologies and demand for biodegradable materials that help to take down this issue.

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We all know how our world is slowly decaying because of big companies, that if left uncontrolled, specifically those ones in the petrol and fast industries have been spreading plastic over the world only for them to generate profits. But the world is taking a different stand, now it's dedicated into building a new future that's free of plastic pollution. The general strategy revolves around shifting the responsibility of who bears the guilt for plastic pollution into corporations.