Solutions
Cleaning Up Indonesia
A solution for solving plastic pollution in developing countries with limited waste management resources, such as Indonesia, can be found through the Plastic Bank organization. Residents can collect plastic from their environment and bring it to their local Plastic Bank branch in exchange for money, food, water, cellular service, cooking oil, or even school tuition for their children. Collectors are paid a Social Plastic premium in addition to the market plastic value, which ensures a stable, liveable income. After being collected the plastic is recycled and processed into new raw material feedstock called Social Plastic which can be purchased by manufacturers to produce more environmentally and socially ethical products. This completes the plastic loop, creating a sustainable, circular economy.
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This is Made Jingga. He was the first customer of the Plastic Bank in Indonesia. With the help of this organization, he is able to clean up his home while simultaneously earning a steady income, which has allowed him to begin his own agribusiness.
Recycling Done Right in Germany
Germany has the biggest collection system for reusable PET and glass bottles, which are much sturdier than the cheaper ones sold in our stores. Bottles composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be sanitized and refilled 25 times before being recycled and glass bottles can be used 50 times before being recycled. This type of industry would be profitable for businesses selling these products because they would save money on packaging, and it would create a new job market.
Germany is in the lead with a reported recycling rate of more than 65%. On the other hand, the United States is on the other end of the graph with a rate of less than 40%. Germany must be doing something right… and they are.
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Monetary incentives for this collection service would help motivate consumers, just like it has in states like Michigan and Iowa that give money back when people recycle aluminum cans compared to states that do not. They had significantly higher recycling rates than states who do not support such bills.
Stop wasting single use products. Be conscientious of what products you are using. Make the change to reusable water bottles. Check the container for the numbers 1 or 2 to tell if they are actually recyclable. Recognize the impact that your actions have on the countries that the United States sends their unwanted plastic to, such as Indonesia.