Why the transition to a circular economy is good | Article

A report presented by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) shows that by 2040, the world’s plastic pollution could be reduced by 80% if governments and companies make changes to their environmental policies and industries use technologies that reduce addiction to plastic. disposable plastic.

Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director, mankind abuses the use of plastic for its low cost, for this reason he encouraged industrial entrepreneurs to join this effort.

“Today, raw virgin polymer is cheaper than recycled polymer. What will allow us to move from the current linear system to a circular system? It can currently be thrown away for free, but the external consequences for the environment and human health are enormous. And so that there are no taxes (…) I am a firm believer in product reformulation,” he said.

Recycling is one of the activities that pave the way for problem solving. Among the changes recommended in the UN report is increased awareness from companies and governments, and he explained that a total of 2,800 people are currently participating in this type of action: 908 government representatives, 1,712 NGO representatives and 10 large industrial associations.

Irreplaceable UNAM | Article

UNEP proposes to phase out problematic and unnecessary plastics and then make changes to reuse, recycle, redirect and diversify products, whereby plastic pollution can be reduced by up to 30% by encouraging the reuse of products such as reusable bottles, bulk dispensers materials, deposit plans and return of containers, among other measures. To materialize these actions, it is necessary to develop more attractive and compelling business models in favor of reusable products.

NUMBERS

According to various experts and environmental NGOs, the transition to a circular economy will positively impact an estimated $1.27 billion in savings from recycling alone.

$3.25 trillion will also be saved in areas such as air pollution, degradation of marine ecosystems, climate and health, among others.

In addition, the circular economy will create 700,000 jobs from this year to 2040, mostly in low-income countries.

According to a United Nations report, reorienting the economy away from plastic and building the infrastructure to properly recycle the rest would cost $65 billion a year, but if this is not done, the investment costs would be the $113 billion a year that is currently available.

SMALL SOLUTIONS; BIG CHANGES

Chantal Chalita is a Mexican environmental engineer and great activist who, under the motto of an imperfect environmentalist, developed several solutions to this important global problem.

“The impact of paper bag production is 3 times more in water and 4 times more in energy than plastic bag production. So it will have to be used 3 times to justify its environmental impact. On the other hand, most of the cloth bags that are sold in stores are made of synthetic materials (…) We need to get rid of this disposable mentality. Use what you have, let’s get them out of where they’re not needed, and discard them when we can. And best of all, ALL of them can be recycled. Let’s start a circular economy that will reduce our impact on the environment. That’s the whole secret,” explains this specialist, who has dedicated his days to learning how best to act for the good of the environment.

Education and uncertainty | Article

In restaurant chains, Chalita has applied circular economy strategies and where, for example, they have succeeded save over 900,000 polluting bottles.

“All the types that are prepared at Sonora Grill are produced through sustainable fishing, meaning they are done with the hook (one by one) without overexploitation. As part of this project, about 60 families are involved in selective fishing, and we will soon be doing this on the Nayarit Riviera,” he says.

With small actions in your daily life, you can contribute to a better planet and care for the environment through new habits.

ACTIONS

According to UNAM, innovation in the plastics industry is one of the most important current requirements, as waste production increased from 3.5% to 17% during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this regard, Greenback Recycling Technologies and Nestlé México have opened the country’s first pyrolysis plant focused on recycling recycled flexible packaging, helping to develop a circular economy.

In addition, Dow, VISE, Surfax, Lasfalto and Omnigreen partnered with the Department of Communications and Transportation to develop the first highway made from one tonne of household plastic, the equivalent of 250,000 flex packages.

NO to the future of water | Article

The section of the Irapuato-La Piedad road in Cueramaro, Guanajuato, is a 2-kilometer plastic road that the company says will bring up to 50% benefit by extending the life of any road.

According to the National Association of Plastics Manufacturers (ANIPAC), 400 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide each year, of which Mexico produces 7 million tons.

Innovation and action must be a priority. Every day we have a great opportunity to make a change.