How we can stop the flow of plastic pollution into our oceans? | Tim Niemier | TEDxMeritAcademy

Summary

This presentation explores the challenges of plastic waste, emphasizing that most plastics, particularly dirty and mixed types, are not recycled and often end up in landfills or oceans. The speaker highlights the dependency on plastic and its environmental impact, while introducing a solution called thermal kinetic compounding (TKC), which allows for recycling dissimilar and dirty plastics. The process could create sustainable business opportunities and reduce plastic pollution. The speaker urges the audience to support innovative recycling methods to stop the flow of plastic into oceans and promote a more sustainable planet.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Most plastics do not get recycled and often end up in landfills or oceans, contributing to environmental issues.
• 🔢 The recycling codes on plastic items are not as effective as one might think in ensuring plastic gets recycled.
• 🚯 Creating a sustainable business model that values waste plastic could reduce its flow into oceans, as it would be too costly to dispose of.
• 🚫 Plastic is problematic because it's cheap, durable, and often ends up as pollution due to its low cost and widespread use.
• 🛍️ Plastic is incredibly cheap to produce, mainly from fossil fuels like natural gas, making it hard to compete with in terms of recycling.
• 🚮 Only about 10% of plastics are recycled, with the majority being dirty and mixed with other types, making the recycling process difficult and expensive.
• 🌊 Approximately 8 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans, breaking down into microscopic pieces that enter the food chain and affect human health.
• 🌿 The speaker confesses to contributing to ocean pollution through his former company's production of kayaks but has since sought to rectify this.
• 🔄 A process called 'Thermal Kinetic Compounding' (TKC) can recycle dissimilar and dirty plastics into new products, turning waste into valuable materials.
• 🏭 The TKC process could lead to a significant industry, creating jobs and reducing the need for shipping by allowing local production of plastic products.
• ♻️ The potential applications for recycled plastic are vast, including solar roof tiles and sidewalks, offering sustainable alternatives to traditional materials.

Q & A

What do the numbers on the bottom of plastic items signify?

The numbers on the bottom of plastic items represent the type of plastic they are made from, which is part of the 'resin identification code' system. However, these numbers do not guarantee that the plastic will be recycled.

Why doesn't most plastic get recycled?

Most plastic does not get recycled because it is often dirty and commingled with other types of plastics, making it too expensive and difficult to clean and separate for recycling purposes.

What is the impact of plastic waste on the environment, particularly the oceans?

Plastic waste that ends up in the oceans can be unsustainable for marine life and ecosystems, leading to pollution and potential harm to the food chain, including humans, as microplastics can enter our bodies.

How did plastic become so ubiquitous and inexpensive?

Plastic became ubiquitous and inexpensive because it is made from fossil fuels like natural gas, which are relatively cheap, leading to its widespread use in various products and packaging.

What is the significance of the 10% of plastic that is recycled?

The 10% of plastic that is recycled, such as milk bottles and water bottles, is significant because these types of plastic are easily cleaned and can be combined for recycling, giving them value and contributing to a circular economy.

How much plastic waste enters the ocean annually, and what form does it take?

Approximately 8 million tons of plastic waste enter the ocean annually, breaking down into tiny, almost microscopic bits that are pervasive throughout the world's oceans.

What is the 'thermal kinetic compounding' process mentioned in the script?

The 'thermal kinetic compounding' (TKC) process is a method of recycling plastic by grinding it into bits, heating it, and then molding it into new products. It can use dirty, dissimilar plastics, making it a versatile and potentially cost-effective recycling solution.

How does the TKC process compare to traditional plastic recycling methods?

The TKC process is more versatile than traditional methods as it can use dirty and dissimilar plastics, does not require cleaning, and can incorporate additional fillers like ground-up tires or tumbleweeds, potentially making it more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

What is the potential economic impact of utilizing the TKC process on a global scale?

Utilizing the TKC process on a global scale could create a new industry worth hundreds of billions of dollars, providing jobs and economic opportunities while reducing plastic waste.

How does the speaker propose to stop the flow of plastic into the oceans profitably?

The speaker suggests creating a sustainable business model that values recycled plastic, making it too expensive to throw away, especially into the oceans. This would incentivize the collection and recycling of plastic waste, turning it into valuable products.

What is the potential of using recycled plastic in construction materials like solar roof tiles and sidewalks?

Recycled plastic has the potential to be used in construction materials like solar roof tiles and sidewalks due to its durability and flexibility. This not only reduces plastic waste but also offers environmental benefits by reducing the need for materials like cement, which has a high carbon footprint.