Integrated Recycling and The Impact of Plastic Waste from Industry and Agriculture on The Environment

Anar Zhumadilova; Saule  Zhigitova; Maira  Turalina; Kuralay  Aitekova

doi:10.58429/qaj.v4n1a200

Authors

Anar Zhumadilova Department of Ecology, M.Kh. Dulaty Taraz Regional University, 080000, 7 Suleymenov Str., Taraz, Republic of Kazakhstan
Saule Zhigitova Institute of Water Management, Ecology and Construction, M.Kh. Dulaty Taraz Regional University, 080000, 7 Suleymenov Str., Taraz, Republic of Kazakhstan
Maira Turalina Institute of Water Management, Ecology and Construction, M.Kh. Dulaty Taraz Regional University, 080000, 7 Suleymenov Str., Taraz, Republic of Kazakhstan
Kuralay Aitekova Department of Biology and Agricultural Specialties, International Taraz Innovative Institute named after Sh. Murtaza, 080000, 69B Zheltoksan Str., Taraz, Republic of Kazakhstan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58429/qaj.v4n1a200

Keywords:

Climate Change, Waste Management Policy, Pollution, Greenhouse Gases, Environmentally Safe

Abstract

The production, use, and waste generation of plastic products is steadily increasing worldwide, and therefore it is necessary to minimize their impact on the environment, as they are a considerable source of pollution and have a substantial impact on climate change. Plastic waste prevention and control is a vital component of China’s national strategy. The purpose of this study is to analyse various scenarios for predicting the impact of plastic waste from industry and agriculture on the environment in the period from 2019 to 2030. Three scenarios have been developed (the scenario of following the national policy of plastic waste management – NP, the scenario of increasing the recycling rate by 20% – RR, and the scenario of banning the incineration of plastic waste suitable for secondary use – IB). The analysis was carried out using a plastic waste management flow model, which calculates environmental indicators for each scenario. The main indicator used in the model was greenhouse gas emissions. It is established that due to the implementation of existing and proposed targets, greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced compared to the BAU scenario by 6.274 Mt CO2e for NP, by 11.523 Mt CO2e for RR and by 12.498 Mt CO2e for IB. A comparative analysis of scenarios with a discussion of their strengths and weaknesses was conducted, existing problems were considered and recommendations for possible solutions were provided. The preference for the RR scenario was reasoned. The results obtained can not only serve as an information source for scientific research, but also help practitioners solve the problem of plastic waste management in an environmentally safe and economical way.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Anar Zhumadilova, Department of Ecology, M.Kh. Dulaty Taraz Regional University, 080000, 7 Suleymenov Str., Taraz, Republic of Kazakhstan

Department of Ecology

Saule Zhigitova, Institute of Water Management, Ecology and Construction, M.Kh. Dulaty Taraz Regional University, 080000, 7 Suleymenov Str., Taraz, Republic of Kazakhstan

Institute of Water Management, Ecology and Construction

Maira Turalina, Institute of Water Management, Ecology and Construction, M.Kh. Dulaty Taraz Regional University, 080000, 7 Suleymenov Str., Taraz, Republic of Kazakhstan

Institute of Water Management, Ecology and Construction

References

E. Palm, and E. S. Myrin, Mapping the plastics system and its sustainability challenges. Lund: Lund University, 2018.

The new plastics economy: Rethinking the future of plastics, 2016, [online]. Available: https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_The_New_Plastics_Economy.pdf

Plastic pollution by country, 2023, [online]. Available: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/plastic-pollution-by-country

R. Geyer, J. R. Jambeck, and K. L. Law, “Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made,” Science Advances, vol. 3, no. 7, p. e1700782, 2017.

Plastic pollution is growing relentlessly as waste management and recycling fall short, says OECD, 2022, [online]. Available: https://www.oecd.org/environment/plastic-pollution-is-growing-relentlessly-as-waste-management-and-recycling-fall-short.htm

Notice of the General Office of the State Council on issuing the implementation plan for prohibiting the entry of foreign waste and advancing the reform of the solid waste import administration system, 2017, [online]. Available: http://gov.cn/zhengce/content/2017-07/27/content_5213738.htm

Plastic waste management and burden in China, 2022, [online]. Available: https://ipen.org/sites/default/files/documents/ipen-china-2021-epa_v1_2.pdf

M. A. Zhanfeng, J. Wanjun, and Y. Sen, “China plastics industry (2019),” China Plastics, vol. 34, no. 5, pp. 102-106, 2020.

Suggestions from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and National Development and Reform Commission on further strengthening the treatment of plastic pollution, 2020, [online]. Available: https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2020-01/20/content_5470895.htm

The 14th five-year plan of action on plastic pollution control, 2021, [online]. Available: https://www.mee.gov.cn/xxgk2018/xxgk/xxgk10/202109/t20210916_945621.html

S. Qu, Y. Guo, Z. Ma, W. Q. Chen, J. Liu, G. Liu, Y. Wang, and M. Xu, “Implications of China’s foreign waste ban on the global circular economy,” Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 144, pp. 252-255, 2019.

W. Wang, N. J. Themelis, K. Sun, A. C. Bourtsalas, Q. Huang, Y. Zhang, and Z. Wu, “Current influence of China’s ban on plastic waste imports,” Waste Disposal & Sustainable Energy, vol. 1, pp. 67-78, 2019.

Y. Ren, L. Shi, A. Bardow, R. Geyer, and S. Suh, “Life-cycle environmental implications of China’s ban on post-consumer plastics import,” Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 156, p. 104699, 2020.

Z. Wen, Y. Xie, M. Chen, and C. D. Dinga, “China’s plastic import ban increases prospects of environmental impact mitigation of plastic waste trade flow worldwide,” Nature Communications, vol. 12, no. 425, 2021.

Y. Yang, L. Chen, and L. Xue, 2021. “Looking for a Chinese solution to global problems: The situation and countermeasures of marine plastic waste and microplastics pollution governance system in China,” Chinese Journal of Population, Resources and Environment, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 352-357.

Y. Deng, R. Wang, S. Li, K. Yu, Y. Liu, M. Shang, J. Wang, J. Shu, Z. Sun, M. Chen, and Q. Liang, “Waste electrical and electronic equipment reutilization in China,” Sustainability, vol. 13, no. 20, p. 11433, 2021.

Q. Q. Zhang, Z. R. Ma, Y. Y. Cai, H. R. Li, and G. G. Ying, “Agricultural plastic pollution in China: Generation of plastic debris and emission of phthalic acid esters from agricultural films,” Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 55, no. 18, pp. 12459-12470, 2021.

M. Hestin, T. Faninger, and L. Milios, “Increased EU plastics recycling targets: Environmental, economic and social impact assessment”, 2015, [online]. Available: https://kipdf.com/increased-eu-plastics-recycling-targets-environmental-economic-and-social-impact_5ab85d9a1723dd329c6494cb.html

China waste plastic recycling industry edited by China-Italy chamber of commerce, 2020, [online]. Available: https://www.sicab.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/04.-China-Waste-Plastic-Recycling-Industry-Report.pdf

China plastic recycling market analysis: Plant capacity, production, operating efficiency, demand & supply, end-user industries, distribution channel, regional demand, 2015-2030, 2021, [online]. Available: https://www.chemanalyst.com/industry-report/china-plastic-recycling-market-507

CRRA. Development report on China’s renewable plastics industry (2019-2020). Beijing: China Plastic Recycling Association of China National Resources Recycling Association, 2020.

China Statistical Yearbook. Beijing: China Statistics Press, 2020.

D. F. Hendry, and F. Pretis, 2023. “Analysing differences between scenarios,” International Journal of Forecasting, vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 754-771, 2023.

China municipal solid waste management industry, 2020, [online]. Available: https://www.sicab.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/15.-China-Municipal-Solid-Waste-Management-Industry-Report.pdf

J. Liu, U. Yang, L. An, Q. Liu, and J. Ding, “The value of China’s legislation on plastic pollution prevention in 2020,” Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, vol. 108, pp. 601-608, 2022.

Development report on recycling industry of renewable resources in China Beijing: Department of Circulation Industry Development, Ministry of Commerce, 2018, [online]. Available: https://recordtrend.com/research-report/development-report-of-chinas-renewable-resources-recycling-industry-from-ministry-of-commerce/

A. Yoshida, “China’s ban of imported recyclable waste and its impact on the waste plastic recycling industry in China and Taiwan,” Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, vol. 24, pp. 73-82, 2022.

H. E. Khor, F. Zhai, and S. Y. Foo, “Turning carbon neutrality vision into reality,” 2022, [online]. Available: https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202203/19/WS62351ecaa310fd2b29e51ea3.html

L. Goulder, and D. Yang, “China’s new carbon market aims to substantially reduce its emissions,” 2021, [online]. Available: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/11/new-carbon-market-slash-chinas-emissions/

Y. Sun, S. Liu, P. Wang, X. Jian, X. Liao, and W. -Q. Chen, “China’s roadmap to plastic waste management and associated economic costs,” Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 309, p. 114686, 2022.

W. W. Y. Lau, Y. Shiran, R. M. Bailey, E. Cook, M. R. Stuchtey, J. Koskella, C. A. Velis, L. Godfrey, J. Boucher, M. B. Murphy, R. C. Thompson, E. Jankowska, A. Castillo, T. D. Pilditch, B. Dixon, L. Koerselman, E. Kosior, E. Favoino, J. Gutberlet, S. Baulch, M. E. Atreya, D. Fischer, K. K. He, M. M. Petit, U. R. Sumaila, E. Neil, M. V. Bernhofen, K. Lawrence, and J. E. Palardy, “Evaluating scenarios toward zero plastic pollution,” Science, vol. 369, no. 6510, pp. 1455-1461, 2020.

Y. Chen, Z. Cui, X. Cui, W. Liu, X. Wang, X. Li, and S. Li, “Life cycle assessment of end-of-life treatments of waste plastics in China,” Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 146, pp. 348-357, 2019.

R. Kumar, A. Verma, A. Shome, R. Sinha, S. Sinha, P. K. Jha, R. Kumar, P. Kumar, Das. S. Shubham, P. Sharma, and P. V. Vara Prasad, “Impacts of plastic pollution on ecosystem services, sustainable development goals, and need to focus on circular economy and policy interventions,” Sustainability, vol. 13, no. 17, p. 9963, 2021.

Notice of the ministry of agriculture on issuing the action programme on agricultural film recovery, 2017, [online]. Available: http://moa.gov.cn/nybgb/2017/dlq/201712/t20171231_6133712.htm

J. Cramer, “Key drivers for high-grade recycling under constrained conditions,” Recycling, vol. 3, no. 2, p. 16, 2018.

Y. Huang, and D. Han, “Analysis of China’s oil trade pattern and structural security assessment from 2017 to 2021,” Chemistry and Technology of Fuels and Oils, vol. 58, pp. 146-156, 2022.

Q. Wang, J. Qu, B. Shi, N. Chen, M. Nie, and S. Yang, “Prevention and control of waste plastics pollution in China,” Strategic Study of Chinese Academy of Engineering, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 160-166, 2021.

M. Eriksen, M. Thiel, M. Prindiville, and T. Kiessling, “Microplastic: What are the solutions,” in The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, Cham: Springer Cham, 2018, pp. 273-298.

J. Nikiema, and Z. Asiedu, “A review of the cost and effectiveness of solutions to address plastic pollution,” Environmental Science and Pollution Research, vol. 29, pp. 24547-24573, 2022.