Plastic – the omnipresent material that has improved countless industries and aspects of modern life, has also become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
Garbage recycling it’s not a recent invention, but something that has been known as an inescapable process in the industry. With the discovery of plastic as a widely used material, although live has become somewhat easier, the pollution got greater.
Plastic waste is a significant factor to environmental degradation. Every year, millions of tons of plastic are produced. Yet, plastic recycling is still limited compared to most other materials. Global statistics show that only 9% plastic is recycled, 12% is burned and the rest is thrown in rivers, oceans and land fields. These plastics can take hundreds of years to decompose, causing harm to ecosystems, wildlife, and even entering the food chain, causing potential health risks to humans. The plastic recycling rate in the EU is today about 25%. Recovery and recycling rates for plastics are increasing in many countries around the world, and an international market for recycled plastics is developing.
The importance of plastic recycling:
- Plastic recycling reduces the need for plastic production. By reusing and reprocessing plastics, we can protect valuable natural resources like crude oil, which is a primary material for plastic production. This saves energy and reduces carbon emissions.
- Reduces the risk of landfill overflow and the release of harmful pollutants from its burning.
- Energy Savings: The recycling process generally needs less energy than producing new plastic from scratch.
- As recycling technologies advance, more opportunities for innovation and job creation emerge, supporting local and global economies.
The Promising Future of Plastic Recycling
- Technological Advancements: constantly developing new recycling technologies
- Increased Awareness: As the public becomes more aware of the environmental impact of plastic waste, there is growing support for recycling initiatives.
- Government Initiatives: These measures can create a more conducive environment for recycling efforts to thrive.
Plastic recycling is not just an environmental necessity; it is an economic and social importance. While challenges exist, ongoing technological advancements, increased awareness, and government support are paving the way for a more sustainable plastic future. As consumers, businesses, and governments work together to promote recycling, we can significantly reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste and move closer to a world where plastic is seen as a valuable resource rather than a disposable bother.
In Macedonia the Law on Recycling Packaging came in to force since 2011. The first permit was obtained by the company “Pacomak” from Skopje, but the process is carried by the company “Greentech MK”.
The law obligates all producers and importers from the Macedonian market to organize system for collecting the packaging waste, generated by their products, selecting it by types and recycling it. That will enable more development and stimulation of recycling companies in Macedonia, some of which in the past years, became leaders in wider regions. This law should enable greater protection on the environment from the most different and hard to decompose waste, and also greater economic benefit and energy saving.
From the students of SSOU “Dimitrija Chupovski” Veles
