Absolute Zeroes Podcast

The After Zero Lecture Series discusses polymer chemistry, plastic pollution, and recycling. Globally, over 380 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year. Plastic waste that is not recycled ends up in landfills or oceans, causing environmental damage. Photodegradation, the breakdown of plastic through exposure to sunlight, is one method of plastic breakdown, but it is not a complete solution. The disposal of plastics through landfilling and incineration also have drawbacks. Recycling is the most viable option, and a new box return scheme has been implemented to encourage recycling. The scheme adds a tax onto containers, making drinks more expensive for those who do not recycle. Ireland has a high recycling rate, with over 70% of packaging waste being recycled. The bottle return scheme works by charging users for acceptable waste and providing a regulated framework for waste management. Studies have shown that bottle return schemes can significantly reduce plastic bottle litter. Welcome to the After Zero Lecture Series, I'm your host, Lauren O'Donnell, and I'm your host, Eva, and in today's episode, we're exploring the intricate world of polymer chemistry and material science, as we discuss all things plastic, how they form and degrade, their properties, environmental impacts, and as well as the new box return scheme, which has been a hot topic in recent times. Plastic pollution is kind of like a clingy egg, persistent and everywhere. We're deep diving into the realm of recycling to tackle this plastic predicament head on. Absolutely Nathan, in fact I have some statistics here to set the scene for our listeners. Did you know that globally we produce over 380 million tonnes of plastic every year? The Clear Coal Initiative, which works with the government to try and raise awareness, has released figures stating that Ireland is Europe's highest producer of plastic waste. We're 65kg per person per year, almost over the European, which sits at 33kg per person per year, a huge waste outlet and another reason for us to be so proactive with regards to our recycling habits. It's not good enough really, is it? That's a lot of plastic. Do you have any information as to what happens to the plastic that is not recycled once we're done with it? Well, unfortunately a significant portion of it ends up in landfills or oceans, causing serious environmental damage, as it cannot be broken down like normal compost or waste. While plastics do not biodegrade, they're actually able to photodegrade by the mediation of soil components. But as you can imagine, when plastic are damaged in the ocean or landfills in such large amounts, we'll probably be dead before it actually degrades. I've never actually heard of photodegradation before. Does this contribute to a negative impact on the environment? Well, the breakdown of plastic was partly possible due to certain components in soil, like iron oxide and magnesium oxide, which do have positive results, with mostly successful breakdown rates. But photodegradation alone would not fight all the waste problems. So, that's not a sign just to dump our bottles and other plastics into places with high soil component levels? Personally, that would save me a lot of time. Well, now that you say it like that, it would save everyone time. But it's not really the most ethical thing to do. Also, it only works based on the soil type and its composition. It would be impossible to find somewhere large enough with enough to store the huge amount of plastic wasted annually on a high level. It's not realistic. I actually was looking into photodegradation for the podcast, and I found research about it online, where they tested five different soil types against polyethylene tetraphyllate. Is that the stuff you use for packing boxes for delivery? Yes, that. It's mixed with all these small granules of plastic fibres. So, it's a great choice for the experiment, as different types of plastic would need different levels of oxides and organic carbons to be able to photodegrade. But how do they manage to aid the breakdown of these plastics? Surely, it would take years to break down fully, right? This seems like a hard experiment to get an accurate result for. Well, yeah, actually, you would be right there. The soils had to be put under light to help emit photons. The photons help to push the oxides and other materials in the soil to break down the plastic contained inside. Was there ever a clear winner as to which soil would break down the plastics the best? Honestly, from what I've read, no. It was said the most progress made was soils were wet and spacious areas with lots of foliage gave the best chance of photodegradation. It's hard to find a solution or an answer to natural plastic breakdown. It's not really 100% possible. Yeah, that's why we have a widespread disposal of plastics that have led to significant pollution and health risks. It's mainly because there is nowhere to dispose of plastics so they can be disposed of correctly. Well, if photodegradation is off the cards, what else can you really do? Plastic waste can be managed in three different ways, such as landfilling, incineration and recycling. And? And what? Well, which one's the best option? Which do we choose? God, don't leave me hanging on that. Oh, yes. Well, if you would like to know, landfilling is actually the most economy friendly but has the high health concerns due to the attraction of rodents and can get into the water system in nearby areas. Oh, can't you get, like, cholera from infected water? Yes, you can. But putting our plastics there doesn't really work in the long run. And what about incineration? Is that not where you burn waste? Yeah, it is. It can give off good energy benefits, such as energy recovery. However, the chemicals that come off incineration is damaging to the atmosphere. Actually, I was reading an article a while ago about heavy metals being released into the atmosphere from waste management protocols such as lead. Yeah, lead and mercury can be released from the burning of plastics and other waste, which damages the environment and pollutes the air. Chemicals such as dioxins can also be released through the plastic scene. Right, well, I might have to skip over that one. Looks like recycling is the only viable option here, no? Yeah, it seems to be these days. Trisha, did you not see the new return scheme set up for this exact purpose? Yes, I have indeed. And in fact, we have our very own experts on set with us today, skilled up repairman Nimra. Thank you for having us. We're so happy to be here. Well, tell us about yourself and your work. Let the audience know that you're no stranger. Well, my name is Nimra and I attend Maynooth University. I have gotten into the research, into the return scheme and I've always been interested in the world of recycling and environmental health. Hello, my name is Nimra and I also attend Maynooth University. Our main goal is to find ways to decrease the harmful effects of global waste on our planet. Well, you guys are better than me. I never gave the talk before I heard money was back as a factor. That's you and everyone else. It was always common across the world and especially Ireland, but even now it has been more widely talked about. So, tell us about this return scheme. Yeah, sell it to us. I've heard a lot about it but I don't really understand the point. We already have recycling bins. To me, this added tax just means that I have to go to the shop instead of throwing the plastic in my own bin on the way home. Well, picture this, the Bottle Return Scheme, a hero in the fight against plastic pollution. This is an ingenious system which encourages recycling by adding tax onto containers, meaning all drinks will be more expensive to those who are not active recyclers. The active 15, 25 cents on every item would add up to during the weekly shop, causing people to become increasingly proactive with their efforts. This scheme is crucial for microplastics like polyethylene terephthalate that don't biodegrade. Instead, they undergo photodegradation. This process breaks down plastic when exposed to sunlight. This provides another way to fix environmental issues. Recycling with benefits, now who wouldn't want that? Of course, even in Ireland, they've been serious about recycling for a while now. In fact, they're one of the top performers in Europe when it comes to recycling rates, with just over 70% of all packaging waste being recycled. Talk about impressive. So how does this magical Bottle Return Scheme work exactly? A deposit scheme slash drop-off scheme is a recognised procedure, usually instituted by legislative action. These systems function by charging users for acceptable waste. When the consumers return recyclables to the machines in the store, they get their deposit back. The main goal is to reduce market imbalances and provide a regulated framework for waste management. So it's like recycling, but with instant gratification. I'm guessing their aim is to achieve 100% recycling rate, but does that really happen? According to Reloop's calculations, the highest amount of plastic material that can be recycled is about 70%, but the impact of these schemes is no joke. Studies have shown that in regions with Bottle Return Schemes, plastic bottle layers reduce by as much as 40% to 60%. That's right. So not only are we keeping our planet cleaner, but we're also giving those plastic bottles a second chance at life. Do you have any insights into how things are doing in other countries? Surely some nations must be faring well, right? Well, actually, the median beverage container collection rate in Europe is at 92% in 2018. Germany has stood out with 98% collection and recycling rate. Despite having many benefits, the system in Ireland is only 82% of consumers have considered changing their habits and to do this incentive. That's impressive. It's great to see such high rates of beverage container collection and recycling, especially in countries like Germany. It seems like there's a lot we can learn from their approach. It's all about raising awareness and encouraging people to participate, right? Yep, and that's where education plays a crucial role. By teaching people about the importance of recycling and the positive impact it can have on our environment, we can inspire more people to join this new initiative. Indeed, and let's not forget the economic benefits. Recycling just one tonne of plastic saves enough energy to power a home for an entire year, and that's what I call a power play. Precisely, while these alternatives offer numerous advantages such as reduced carbon footprint and ecological safety, there's still work to be done to establish a globally comparable standard for their biodegradability and compostability. Absolutely, we're making progress one recycled bottle at a time. But what about the challenges? Are there any downsides to the bottle return scheme? Well, like anything else really out there, there are some challenges. One big concern would be the cost of setting the infrastructure up. It requires investment in the reverse vending machines, collection points, and all of the transportation logistics. However, other experts argue that long-term benefits outweigh the initial costs. Exactly, and I would also say another challenge would be people changing their habits. We're all so used to throwing away things, we aren't really thinking about it. But to provide education and awareness, we can continue to encourage people to make sustainable choices. Absolutely, every small action counts. So what can our listeners do to get involved? Well, first and foremost, start by supporting bottle return schemes in your area. Look for places where you can return your beverage containers for recycling, and encourage your friends and family to also do the same. There's also room for expansion and innovation within this existing scheme, like introducing new technologies for automated collection and sorting, as well as exploring ways to prompt the use of refillable containers. This way, even other countries can learn from Ireland's experience and adopt their own strategies to address plastic waste in many ways that suit their unique context. Wise suggestions. As we wrap up, what message would you like to leave our listeners with regarding the importance of addressing plastic waste, as well as the role of initiatives like Ireland's bottle return scheme? Plastic waste is a global problem that demands urgent action. By adopting measures like bottle return schemes, we can make meaningful strides towards reducing our reliance on single-use plastics, and preserving our planet for future generations. Every individual has a part to play in this effort, whether it's through recycling, supporting sustainable practices, or advocating for policy changes. And don't forget to spread the word. Share information about the benefits of recycling and the importance of the bottle return scheme on social media or through other community events. Well folks, that's all the time we have for today. Remember, every action counts when it comes to reducing plastic pollution and creating a more sustainable future. Until next time, let's keep unwrapping the science behind plastics and finding innovative solutions to protect our planet. Plastic pollution... Bro! Plastic production is con... production...