Invited Talk: Research Highlights on Waste Plastic

Municipal solid waste accumulation is a major challenge for governmental municipalities, particularly in developing countries, where population growth, urbanization, capital and infrastructure constraints, poor regulation and waste management education challenge the way waste is collected, recycled and disposed. In particular plastic accumulation further poses a threat due to its persistence in the ecosystem when improperly disposed of. This can lead to serious health and environmental consequences when waste plastic is dumped on open plots of land, in the streets or in waterways. Furthermore, plastic accumulation in the world’s oceans is a critical sustainability issue. According to some estimates, the mass of waste plastic will outweigh fish by 2050. Unfortunately, much of the plastic that enters the oceans comes from regions where infrastructure limitations are major roadblocks to effective waste management strategies. Finding solutions to address this issue that are environmentally benign, socially acceptable and economically viable will be a critical sustainability challenge. This contribution will present potential strategies and research highlights for addressing this pressing global issue.