It ends with us: Plastic pollution, human actions and its peril

Plastic pollution is one of the major contributors to the triple planetary crisis: environmental degradation, climate change and biodiversity loss. It also poses a threat to the ecosystem and human health.  The world generated 353m tons of plastic waste in 2019 which is twice the amount since 2002. Out of the total waste generated only nine percent was recycled and almost 50 percent was disposed of in landfill sites, 19 percent incinerated and 22 percent discarded and leaked into the environment and river system. 

Out of total waste generated in Nepal, 16 percent of urban waste consisted of plastic waste contributing to 2.7 tons plastic waste production daily. According to Bajracharya et al., (2022), 15 percent of the waste is managed inappropriately, either burnt or discarded in the environment. A study highlighted evidence of microplastic in diverse aquatic ecosystems.  A wide range of polymers are present in plastic waste such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide, Polystyrene (PS), and polyester. These polymers have adverse effects on the living beings, environment and some prove difficult to recycle.

Indistinguishably, the diverse aquatic ecosystems reveal microplastic presence exemplifying the need for awareness and research related to circular economy. In 2020, a waste management baseline survey revealed that the waste comprises 54 percent organic. This clearly demonstrates the potential of organic waste, primarily composed of biodegradable matter, to be transformed into valuable resources such as compost. Moreover, inorganic waste can be effectively categorized into plastics, metals, electronic waste, and other components, thereby facilitating tailored management strategies. 

As evidenced, plastic pollution is the major contributor to environmental degradation, threatening ecosystems, animals, plant species and humanity itself. Plastic leakage on the freshwater ecosystem causes a significant impact on aquatic life. Plastic is persistent in nature, and it contains high levels of toxic chemicals and resulting pollutants are transported around through the air and upstream. Waste management is a crucial issue that demands immediate attention. Uncontrolled disposal/dumping and open burning predominantly contribute to environmental degradation. The governmental bodies, the private sector, and NGOs face challenges for proper waste management of plastic. This emanates from the unmanaged collection, segregation and prevalence of open dumping/disposal coupled with lax policy implementation. Although policies have been adopted, their implementation is uneven, with certain municipalities enforcing few relevant rules while others entirely neglect them.

Human actions and consequences

Humans are responsible for most of the planet’s problems. The tendency of humans to encroach on the environment and undermine the ecological footprint has become susceptible to modern problems. Apart from the natural hazard, the pollution caused by human induced activities has vastly affected the planet following a suit of interlinked mishaps; climate change, global warming and impending doom. 

The degradation of plastic released into the environment leads to serious threats to biodiversity. Atmospheric agents such as abrasion, ultraviolet radiation and photo oxidation in combination with the bacteria degrade plastic fragments into the micro and nanosized particles. Scientists discovered the presence of microplastic in human stools, demonstrating how these particles are ingested and excreted by our bodies. Research conducted on human placenta reflected the presence of microplastic in human lungs, blood, placentas and breast milk. This highlighted the presence of micro-plastic from production to disposal, hence, constant exposure and intake of plastic threaten our well-being. The pervading nature of plastic is the reason for its increasing infiltration into the human body.

Impact of plastic pollution is not only limited to humans, but it poses a major threat to the terrestrial organism’s health including megafauna. As per recent research, the existence of macro- particles in the dung of the greater one horn rhino at Chitwan National Park has raised alarming concerns. Hence, Immediate actions and prevention methods are required for comprehensive waste management. Strategic plans are essential to mitigate the negative impact of plastic pollution and its sustenance in the long run. 

On a similar note, air pollution has become a prominent issue that has raised concerns and contested debates on “who did it” and “how it happened” among scientists and researchers. The myriad effects have become evident after the famously known “smog” has taken a storm in developed and developing nations. In China, smog affected the health and visibility of the residents. Similarly, in Nepal the level of air pollution has affected visibility, and the Government was forced to close schools for four days in 2021 and banned walkers in the morning concerning dangerous levels of air pollution.

Vehicle emissions and construction dust, coupled with Kathmandu’s geographic constraints, are the primary culprits behind the city's pollution crisis. Rising global temperatures are expected to intensify this problem. Air pollution is majorly contributed through human induced activities such as the open burning of plastic waste, backyard burning, and indoor air pollutants. According to research conducted by Kundan Lal Shrestha, almost nine percent of municipal waste is burnt in the open space including plastic and other inorganic waste. The study highlighted that out of 10 residents residing inside the valley, one resident burnt their waste either in backyard or open spaces. As a result, the practice of organic waste and plastic burning persists ubiquitously.

Ban on single-use plastic, awareness campaigns are the major interventions taken by the government. In 2022, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City implemented stringent measures to penalize individuals, with fines of up to 500,000 and legal ramifications under the Environment Protection Act. Different initiatives were taken by the government, but none of them was able to give a result-based outcome. For the purpose of filling in the gaps, several NGOs have taken different measures at different capacities.

Our intervention

Concurrently, CREASION has been working as a catalyst to bring change to the community through collaborative and sustainable approaches. Since 2005, our approaches have aligned towards innovation and compassion to protect the environment for a better future. We are working together with the policymakers and other private sectors to create a resilient, inclusive, carbon-neutral future which will lead towards net zero emissions by 2045, to support the long-term vision of the Nepalese Government. 

Similarly, we have been working in PET recycling since 2019, to mitigate the negative impact of plastic pollution. To date, we have successfully recycled 9343 tons of waste PET which significantly reduces the carbon emissions by 19,657.68 tons. We ensure waste reduction by integrating green recycling and preventing air pollution by cutting off carbon emission. 

In addition, we are also focused on empowering the informal sector by introducing advanced technology and promoting the transition towards a circular economy. It has been instrumental in encouraging youth, women, and marginalized communities, providing support and resources to help them embark on their entrepreneurial journeys. Formation of the waste smart school, educating and encouraging children towards sustainability and conservation of environment. 

Our efforts are not limited to recycling plastic and supporting the informal recycling sector. Empowering youth, advocating for environmental justice and collaborative effort to create a resilient environment is our fundamental responsibility. We are working together to beat plastic pollution and prevent the leakage of plastic into the river system to preserve the freshwater ecosystem.  To envision a better future, it's important to promote sustainable practices. Our efforts align with the sustainable development goals through the engagement of youths to be part of cleaning campaigns in the major hotspot areas, advocating at the local level and partnership with the policymakers to address the existing gaps in waste management leading towards sustainability.

Open burning is common in the context of Kathmandu valley especially during the winter season. To achieve the goal of a Clean and healthy environment for everyone, our sole objective is to minimize the negative impact caused by plastic pollution. Our work on empowering the marginalized communities, strengthening them through workshops and training, and mobilizing the youths as a catalyst and advocate for the environmental crisis has proved vital for the future generation and environment conservation. These sessions include the integration of the circular economy to improve the livelihood of the marginalized and vulnerable communities through the market value chain.

The interlinkages between the destruction imposed by humans in the environment originates from the individualistic behavior encroaching the wildlife habitation and the ecological footprint. The environment has a deep link towards humans and all living beings and vice versa. But the failure to recognize our interdependency has led to negligent behaviors and selfish motives to extract the resources from the environment and polluting the environment.  Human induced activities are directly linked to pollution and degradation in the environment, and this affects humans and animals as they all depend on the environment's resources.  Pollution is a double-edged sword given that human activities generate two primary types of pollution: point and nonpoint. On one hand, point source pollution, emitted from identifiable locations like factories and sewage plants, is easier to regulate in general. For example, smokestack emissions and industrial wastewater. On another hand, nonpoint source pollution is more diffuse, stemming from widespread areas like urban runoff, agricultural fields, or forests. This type is harder to control as it comes from multiple sources such as rainwater washing over city streets carrying pollutants into waterways. Both types harm air and water quality further, the environment in a larger context.

The predicament of plastic pollution pertains to over consumption, waste management and microplastic. Nevertheless, Nepal is facing a pressing environmental challenge due to the increasing threat of plastic waste to its pristine ecosystems, including the Himalayas and the Terai region. This has resulted in detrimental impacts on biodiversity and ecological balance. A comprehensive approach involving the government, civil society, and the private sector is crucial to address this problem. The key strategies include promoting reusable alternatives, implementing plastic ban or restrictions, strengthening waste management systems, promoting the 3Rs namely; reduce, reuse, and recycling of plastic materials. Furthermore, education and knowledge dissemination on the harmful effects of plastic pollution to the youths and public will be effective in practicing reducing waste and environment conservation. Through collaborative efforts, Nepal can work towards a plastic-free future, safeguarding its environment, human health, and economic development.