Ditch the Plastic, Save the Planet

Written By Victor Odhiambo

This year’s Earth Day is themed around plastic pollution and its effects on the planet.  

‘‘To deal with plastic pollution, humanity must change. We must change the way we consume, the way we produce and how we dispose of our waste. This is the reality of our world. Change is inevitable.’’ – Kenya’s President William Ruto. 

But what is the global state of plastic pollution? 

PLASTICS BY THE NUMBERS  

  • 400 million tonnes – Amount of plastic waste produced globally every year   

  • 1 billion tonnes – plastic waste to be produced by 2060  

  • 23 million tonnes –plastic waste dumped in water bodies   

  • 40 million tonnes – Plastics recycled per year  

  • 46% - plastics that end up in landfills  

  • 22% - plastics that become litter  

  • 17% - plastics that are burned  

 Experts argue that this kind of pollution is unacceptable, calling it, essentially, ‘‘an existential threat to life, humanity and the planet.’’ 

PLASTICS AND CLIMATE CHANGE   

What is the relationship? 

Plastics are a byproduct of fossil fuels, which are overwhelmingly responsible for causing climate change. By 2024, plastics could account for up to 19 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, pushing global warming even higher.  

Dealing with the plastic pollution menace is, therefore, central to addressing climate change, multiple scientific studies reveal. 

President Ruto: ‘‘It is now time for investors, multinational corporations and technology companies to shift strategic investments to reduce their plastics waste footprint.’’  

CURBING PLASTIC POLLUTION  

To slow the damage of plastics on the planet, scientists call upon producers and innovators to rethink plastic products and packaging to reflect the principles of:   

  • Reuse   

  • Refill   

  • Repair and   

  • Repurpose   

They also propose alternative and eco-friendly options that include non-plastic substitutes, alternative plastics and plastic products that do not have negative environmental, health and social impacts.  

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING?  

  • Cellulose: made of cotton, hemp or wood  

  • Cornstarch  

  • Kraft paper – made from wood pulp  

  • Glassine – made from glass material  

  • Corrugated – this is made from a heavy type of paper (containerboard)  

  • Recycled packaging – this minimises the use of new material  

  • Biodegradable packaging – material that can decompose  

  

Victor Odhiambo
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