Solutions
Plastics
Two types of strategies to address plastic waste:
Market-based: Policy, regulation, and legislation-based
∎ Aimed at minimizing waste ∎ Aimed at reducing marine debris
∎ prioritize reuse and recycling ∎ extend producer responsibilities over waste
∎ promote biodegradable & bio-based plastics ∎ regulate plastic consumption and production
∎promote non-plastic products ∎ improve waste collection systems
∎reduce plastic dependence altogether ∎ improve recycling infrastructure and energy use
Long term solutions will require a multidisciplinary approach with international political and economic cooperation (Prata et al., 2019 Xanthos & Walker 2017).
Textiles
High-quality, long-lasting clothing results in less textile waste compared to trendy fast fashion.
Mending and altering old clothes saves money and extends the life of clothing.
Image: Vox
Buying secondhand clothes reduces demand for new textiles.
Image: Dig & Save, facebook
Avoid buying items for a specific occasion that you know you will only wear once.
Image: partycity
but Is reducing demand enough?
Global production of textiles, electronics, and plastics is already outpacing demand, and will only continue to increase.
There is no easy solution to overproduction.
But what can we do about goods that have already been produced?
Reusing and recycling products can keep them from being disposed in a way that harms biodiversity. This will require not only individual effort, but also a significant investment in research and infrastructure.
Let's examine some efforts to reduce improper disposal of e-waste; at a global and local scale.
E-Waste Recycling
Typical e-waste contains more precious metals and materials than traditional mineral mines (Hageluken et al 2008). International agreements can be effective in enforcing proper e-waste disposal - the Basel Convention of 1989 aims to the international trade of toxic materials and e-waste. However, it has not been signed by the United States and other major waste producers.
image: Insights on India
International agreements could further reduce the effect of E-waste.
Although net exporters of toxic materials have not signed on to major initiatives to reduce improper disposal of e-waste, Asian countries that typically receive these materials have led the way on efforts to promote proper recycling (Zhang et al 2012).
image: Google Maps
Small-scale efforts can be effective too.
Electronic items are banned from landfills in Wisconsin (City of Madison).
The city has drop-off sites located at 4602 Sycamore Ave. and 1501 W. Badger Rd.