Life-cycle approach: A circular solution to plastic crisis

Despite widespread public awareness about plastic pollution and its effects, plastic use remains deeply ingrained in modern society. From grocery bags and water bottles to packaging of food, plastics have gained a major foothold in our daily lives. Though production and popularity of plastic products do not have a long history, its effects on human health, marine life and ecosystem is increasing at an exponential rate. 

According to UNEP data, with more than 7bn tons production of plastic products so far only 10 percent of them have been recycled successfully. Further, the 2018 report of ICIMOD stated that plastic comprised 16 percent of Nepal’s urban waste, and approximately 9 percent of total consumption leaked into the environment annually due to the absence of effective policies. With such alarming statistics the plastic product demands for better production, consumption and management strategies. 

Plastic pollution was recognized by the UNEP Resolution 5/14 as a global-scale serious environmental problem negatively impacting the different dimensions of sustainable development. The fact that plastic products, known for their durable, versatile and lower production rate, significantly contribute to environmental pollution, is something etched in everyone’s mind. 

Current policy action to address plastic pollution in Nepal still focuses mostly on the linear end-of-life approach. The Nepal government has attempted to address plastic pollution through measures like banning plastics thinner than 40 microns and introducing the “Action Plan for Ban on Plastics”. While government initiatives were aimed to promote eco-friendly alternatives, their implementation has been slow, inconsistent, and sometimes ineffective. Hence, overcoming the conventional practices and addressing the growing effects of plastics requires a holistic assessment. 

Understanding the life cycle approach 

A life cycle approach in pollution management refers to the comprehensive mechanism that acknowledges each stage of product life to assess its impact and minimize it at every possible stage. It is a circular strategy that helps to understand the life cycle of a product, its possible effects at each phase, alternative choices and possibility of continuous reuse with diminished negative effects. 

Every plastic product undergoes a unique life cycle, design process, and impact, necessitating an integrated understanding of all its phases. The life cycle approach, unlike the traditional and linear method of make-use-dispose, is based on a circular economy model which emphasizes the continual use of product with minimal impacts and wastes. The influence of plastic products does not only start after its consumption, but at the very beginning of the production level. Therefore, it becomes necessary to understand what happens at each life stage of the product, i.e from raw material acquisition to manufacture, distribution, product use and disposal. The standard way to understand this process is by dividing it into three parts: production, consumption and disposal. 

The product life begins with the production process, where extraction of the raw material from natural resources to the sustainable designing and use of eco-friendly materials are considered. The formation of plastic products has its own elemental and componental characteristics that differs according to product being produced. Hence, it becomes necessary to consider the kind, amount and forms of materials used. Many plastic components like cadmium compounds, brominated flame retardants, etc are considered hazardous and subject to strict control by Basel Convention due to their persistence, bioaccumulation and potential toxicity. Such chemicals shall be either eliminated or exchanged with biodegradable alternatives. 

Further, the production of plastic involves extraction and processing of fossil fuels, which contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation. Hence, the technology and material/energy used during production also require inspection. The necessary removal and precaution at the initial stage of the production ensures the durability and sustainability of the product and its usage. 

The next stage where the rational use of the product contributes in lessening the impact of plastic is the consumption. 

Prof Anthony J Ryan, an English polymer chemist and sustainability leader, says: “ Plastic is not the only problem, but the way humans use it is the problem.” Besides producers and stakeholders, consumers also hold a responsibility in preventing plastic pollution. 

With only nine percent of annual plastic waste recycled, the single use plastic products are considered to be the highest contributor to the pollution and hazardous for marine as well as terrestrial life. Therefore, at the stage of consumption, usage of harmful products like single use plastic should be either prohibited or properly managed. 

The most challenging and important phase of the life cycle is the disposal. The current disposal processes are often inadequate. Landfills are the major contributor of microplastic in waterways and chemical toxins in soil. Similarly, plastic waste incineration contributes to air pollution. There is a need for a more systematized disposal mechanism to dispose of plastic waste. 

Practices such as 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) are effective in preventing harmful disposal, and application of policies like the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) makes producers accountable for the entire life cycle of plastic, aligning with a circular economy approach, addressing the pollution at its outset. Another effective disposal practice is Plastic Pyrolysis which breaks down the disposable plastics into fuels and raw materials, reducing the volume of waste and providing an alternative energy source. 

Nepal’s challenges and solutions 

While Nepal, like many countries, is a victim to hazardous effects of plastic pollution, implementation of the new approach comes with its challenges. 

The lack of policies like Extended Producers Responsibility, inadequate chemical regulation limits the accountability at the production stage. Similarly, the absence of effective recycling and formal waste management facilities hampers the sustainable practices, due to complications in securing the alternatives. Further, conventional methods of simply banning, dumping or burning of plastic yields no benefit due to poor enforcement of regulation. 

To effectively tackle plastic pollution and ensure the application of life cycle approach, Nepal needs to understand the importance of life cycle assessment of plastic products and coordinated efforts of different stakeholders. 

Regulation of the production process that ensures less harmful chemical use, effective adoption and implementation of necessary policies and finally proper management of waste disposal are critical. A well-structured and scientific process involving not only the government, NGOs and private sectors, but also producers and consumers is essential to combat the pollution.