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Plastic pollution results in significant economic damage to marine systems and air quality. The question now is: How does plastic get into the water? Littering, improperly managed landfills, tourist activities, and fisheries are mostly to blame. Plastic has become a popular material because it’s flexible, lightweight, not to mention strong. It’s estimated that more than 70 percent of the plastic products we use aren’t recycled. Consumers are careful and separate used plastics making sure that they get into the right bin, yet the goods don’t find their way into the market. The explanation lies in the fact that, from an economic standpoint, it doesn’t make sense to use recycled products. 

Plastics, as well as their ingredients, are invading the oceans and waterways, so it’s paramount to eliminate them from our lives, as far as possible. The speed at which plastic pollution has increased isn’t surprising. Nevertheless, even if the world has a good understanding of the enormity of the problem, important actors (leaders across industries, government, and civil society) find it impossible to agree on a solution. Great efforts ought to be made worldwide to solve one of the most challenging problems of modern times. In other words, we should move from deciding to action. The excessive production and consumption of plastic have dreadful consequences for the environment and human health alike, causing inflammation, genotoxicity, and necrosis, among other things.

Middle Eastern countries are taking action to reduce the plastic problem

At present, the Gulf Cooperation Council generates roughly 20 million tons of plastic waste every year. Efforts are being made to increase recycling rates to 40 percent, which brings about several advantages, including cutting down CO2 emissions and generating commercial opportunities and jobs. To recycle more, governments have reinforced standards and guidelines and, most importantly, built public awareness. In spite of the fact that some obstacles remain, the greater integration of technology helps meet rising demands. Examples of commonly recycled plastics include but aren’t limited to:

• HDPE used in piping, bottles, toys
• PET used in bottles, food packaging, and carpets
• LDPE used in flexible containers, plastic bags, and cling film
• PVC used in cable insulation, credit cards, and window frames

Rapid and radical transformation is taking place across the region, resulting in positive economic and environmental benefits.

3 concrete ways in which the Middle East is fighting plastic pollution 

Egypt, in particular, has come up with some ingenious solutions concerning the fight against plastic waste. Owing to social startups, which are taking alternative approaches and to raising awareness and reducing waste, plastic is becoming less of an issue. People can do away with any plastics at their disposal via a website where they can trade the waste. They have their waste collected at home and are assigned points based on the plastics they’re offering. Egypt has proved that joining forces is the only way to tackle the pervasive issue. Efforts don’t need to be scattered. On the contrary, they need to be unified so that everyone works towards the same goal.

Companies in the Middle East are doing the best they can to drive real change and combat environmental issues. They have discovered that deploying commercial balers is advantageous for handling the recyclables in their waste stream. Those who have never witnessed such machines operate, which are available to rent or hire , need to know that they compact waste, transforming it into solid blocks of recyclable material. They can tackle loads of plastic bottles without additional preparation. The bales are picked up for free or as the result of a rebate, allowing businesses to enjoy economic benefits. Additionally, baling plastics contributes to the health and safety of the employees, as the bales don’t produce risks of fire and so on.

Changing attitudes is part of the battle against plastic pollution. People need to understand once and for all that they don’t need plastic in their lives, as there are countless alternatives. What is more, it’s necessary to increase the recyclability of plastic and plastic containing products. To achieve this, people shouldn’t think of recycling as an inconvenience. The system is already in place, they just need to make an effort. Recycling bins have been strategically placed near parks, parking facilities, and so forth. Recycling – in other words, throwing away the plastics in the right bin – only takes a couple of seconds. Middle Eastern countries are striving to change behaviors and drive openness to change.

A little bit about plastics and the circular economy 

By continuing the efforts for reuse and recycling, the Gulf Cooperation Council can help contribute to global sustainability and innovation. Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, we’ve learned that plastic pollution is a real threat and we can’t afford to ignore it any longer. It’s not just an aesthetic issue. Nations around the globe are slowly but surely moving towards a more circular economy, which involves the elimination of waste and the safe utilization of natural resources. Several Middle Eastern nations are advancing towards a waste-free future. They have set in the footsteps of the world’s leaders in circular economics, of which mention can be made of Germany, the United Kingdom, and France.

Circularity is beneficial for the economy. Besides reducing the pressure on the environment, it fosters growth in employment because labor is cherished more than raw materials. More jobs are created for labor-intensive recycling operations and high-quality repairs. Measures such as waste prevention and reuse can help save a great deal of money while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Finally yet importantly, circular economies bring forward innovative solutions to tackling waste and pollution, trying to optimize the entire system. Technology supports and boosts the transition to a more circular economy, which is introduced via innovative businesses.

Everyone needs to mobilize towards fighting plastic pollution and addressing the underlying drivers of environmental degradation. The greater common involvement and responsibility in cooperation can change the world today.

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