Strategies for managing plastic waste from construction and manufacturing projects

Abstract

Plastics are inexpensive, lightweight and durable materials, which can readily be moulded into a variety of products that find use in a wide range of applications. Consequently, the production of plastics has increased markedly over the last 60 years. However, current levels of their usage and disposal generate several environmental problems. Plastics consume approximately 8% of world oil production: 4% as raw material for plastics and 3% to 4% as energy for manufacture. A major portion of plastic produced each year is used to make disposable items of packaging or other short-lived products that are discarded within a year of manufacture. These observations indicate that our current use of plastics is not sustainable. In addition, because of the durability of the polymers involved, substantial quantities of discarded end-of-life plastics are accumulating as debris in landfills and in natural habitats worldwide. The manufacturing industry has developed considerably and so has the use of plastics. The growth has come with the challenge of plastic waste disposal which causes pollution. Plastic pollution involves the accumulation of plastic waste products in the environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat or humans. Plastic pollution can unfavourably affect lands, waterways and oceans. This is not only evident in the marketplace; it is also evident at the conclusion of most manufacturing projects where the plastic is widely used for packaging and other short-lived products that must be discarded within a year of manufacture. Although efforts have been made to effectively handle the challenge there is still need to improve on the percentage of plastic waste from engineering projects that is recycled. According to Rugwiza (2012), only 1% of manufactures in Kampala have plastic recycling facilities. The paper seeks to present the strategies under consideration in dealing with the problem. Reuse, recycling and reduce of the waste materials has been encouraged for many years; however, it is still not used for many construction site activities. Recycling is one of the most important actions currently available to reduce these impacts and represents one of the most dynamic areas in the plastics industry today. Recycling provides opportunities to reduce oil usage, carbon dioxide emissions and the quantities of waste requiring disposal. Plastic reduction efforts have occurred in some areas in attempts to reduce plastic consumption and pollution and promote plastics recycling. There has been remarkable growth in recycling of plastic materials in the last decade in Uganda. This has been helped by advances in technologies and systems for the collection, sorting and reprocessing of recyclable plastics. This has created opportunities and benefits for the environment as well as the economy. With the combined effort of the manufacturing industry, the public and government, it may be possible to avert the dangers related to plastic waste and divert majority of the plastic waste from landfills to recycling. This will go a long way in ensuring green manufacturing projects with minimal effect to the environment.