Evaluating strategies for sustainable recovery and recycling of plastic waste in the West Bank of Palestine: The perspectives of plastic companies

Abstract

The plastic waste (PW) makes up the second largest portion of the total solid waste generated in Palestine. Hence, it is important to consider proper PW management mainly through recovery and recycling and implement appropriate strategies. This study aims to identify and evaluate the social, legal, technological, environmental, and economic strategies that can positively motivate plastic manufacturing and/or recycling companies to recover and recycle PW. A structured questionnaire was developed to address 30 plastic companies in the West Bank. The results indicate that 80% of the companies supported the social strategies that implement community awareness programs. Almost 92% of the companies agreed with legal strategies which enforce legislations to support PW recovery and recycling practices. As for technological strategies, 76% of the companies endorsed the application of modern technologies for PW management. However, only 68% of the companies accepted the environmental strategies which promote life cycle assessment and environmental awareness programs and adopted the use of recycled plastic materials in manufacturing from the context of the economic and market strategies. Palestinians are invited to implement PW recovery and recycling practices to better utilize available resources, achieve sustainable management of solid waste, and promote environmental health.

Plastic, microplastic, and the inconsistency of human thought

“…Finally, by combining individual responsibility, collective political responsibility, and the responsibility of companies that produce plastic ( 74 , 75 ), we could act to reduce the disposal of a practically indestructible and almost eternal product in the environment, which is considered one of humanity's greatest threats. For this reason, we must quickly become aware of the mental cognitive problems that prevent us from fully understanding and acting accordingly toward the solution of the problem.…”