Plastic bans in India – Addressing the socio-economic and environmental complexities

Nøklebye, Emmy; Adam, Hans Nicolai; Roy-Basu, Avanti; Bharat, Girija K.; Steindal, Eirik Hovland

doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2022.11.005

Cited by 23 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…It is estimated that the global production of polymeric materials will exceed 500 million metric tons by 2050, and about half of them are used for disposable items, such as packaging for food, drinks and tobacco products, plastic cutlery, straws, as well as mulching film materials. However, statistics show that 60% of plastics have been simply thrown away. , The excessive reliance on fossil resources and the massive accumulation of plastic waste have led to serious environmental problems, especially global warming and microplastic pollution. , So far, many countries and regions worldwide, including Hainan and Jilin provinces of China, New York and Washington states of America, and EU member states, have successively implemented the policies of “plastic restriction” and “plastic prohibition”, which center on reducing, reusing and recycling plastics. − On this basis, positive measures are still indispensable to ensure the long-term sustainability of polymer materials. Against this backdrop, bio-based and biodegradable polymer materials provide a promising approach to reducing reliance on fossil resources as well as waste management strategies. − …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study on the Synthesis and Properties of Biodegradable Poly(butylene diglycolate) Polyester

Dong,

Yang,

Wang

et al. 2024

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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With increasing environmental requirements, biodegradable polymers have received widespread attention. Herein, we synthesized a series of poly(butylene diglycolate)s (PBDs), which was a novel biodegradable homopolyester, with numberaverage molecular weight (M n ) values between 13 and 97 K g• mol −1 . The effects of M n on the thermal and tensile properties of PBDs were comprehensively investigated. The glass transition temperature (T g ), melting temperature (T m ), and temperature of 5% weight loss (T d,5% ) of PBDs were found to be approximately −26.4, 64.0, and 336 °C, respectively. PBD with 31 K g•mol −1 exhibits a brittle fracture feature, while obvious yielding behavior occurs when the M n of PBD is higher than 45 K g•mol −1 . Besides, PBD achieves stable mechanical properties when M n reaches 51 K g•mol −1 , with the elastic modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break of 285, 27.1 MPa, and 290%, respectively, superior to those of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). Furthermore, the crystal structures of PBD were recorded by WAXD and POM. The spherulites were observed after isothermal crystallization of PBD in a wide temperature range, and the maximum nucleation density was obtained after annealing at 20 °C. Significant hydrolysis of PBD in both buffer solution and artificial seawater was confirmed by monitoring the changes in residual weight, intrinsic viscosity, surface morphology, crystallinity, and chemical composition. Finally, PBD exhibits considerable biodegradability under composting and freshwater environments, with the residual weight reducing to 49.2 and 94.7% after 35 days, respectively. Due to the balanced mechanical and barrier properties and biodegradability, PBD has potential application prospects in packaging materials.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study on the Synthesis and Properties of Biodegradable Poly(butylene diglycolate) Polyester

Dong,

Yang,

Wang

et al. 2024

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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“…For example, both China and India have implemented nationwide bans on various SUP items (Butchholz, 2021); however, they remain two of the world’s largest SUP generators (Statista, 2021). Additionally, there are growing concerns that blanket bans can have negative socio-economic and environmental impacts in specific contexts (Nøklebye et al , 2023). Plastic bag bans in India have a disproportionate, negative economic impact on small- and medium-sized businesses and can result in the uptake and use of plastic alternatives that are worse for the environment (Nøklebye et al , 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, there are growing concerns that blanket bans can have negative socio-economic and environmental impacts in specific contexts (Nøklebye et al , 2023). Plastic bag bans in India have a disproportionate, negative economic impact on small- and medium-sized businesses and can result in the uptake and use of plastic alternatives that are worse for the environment (Nøklebye et al , 2023). There is an opportunity here for social marketing to help address the current shortcomings of plastic reduction interventions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reducing plastic waste in the workplace: a program evaluation

Mathew,

Isbanner,

Rundle-Thiele

2024

JSOCM

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Purpose This study aims to develop a research agenda for the advancement of theory application in practical contexts by presenting a case study of the Engagement in Plastic-free Innovation for Change (EPIC) programme delivered by Plastic Oceans Australasia (POA). Design/methodology/approach EPIC is a behaviour change programme by POA that aims to reduce single-use plastic (SUP) consumption in workplaces. The study evaluates the programme’s impact on employee perceptions and actual behaviour through pre- and post-programme data collection in two Australian workplaces. Data was gathered via online surveys and waste audits and analysed using SPSS statistics and Excel. Findings The case study highlights the need for theory application in programme evaluation instruments. Theory was not used in the programme evaluation tool, and theory could not be mapped onto the tool retroactively. The data from the present study showed mixed results. Data from Workplaces 1 and 2 indicated that EPIC successfully improved three out of seven employee perceptions of SUP reduction efforts. However, individual workplace data showed that EPIC only improved one out of seven perceptions in Workplace 1 and three out of seven perceptions in Workplace 2. Surprisingly, Workplace 1 observed a decrease in plastic waste after the programme, while Workplace 2 saw an increase. Without the clear integration of theory, it is difficult to pinpoint areas for improvement. It is, however, posited that COVID-19 restrictions on people attending their workplaces and low survey response rates may have contributed to these unexpected results. Practical implications The present study highlights key improvements that can be made to evaluations of voluntary behaviour change programmes. Careful evaluation of behaviour change programmes is key to improving programme effectiveness. Practitioners will find the suggested improvements from this study helpful in developing and refining voluntary behaviour change programme evaluations. Originality/value This is one of the first studies to evaluate the impacts of a voluntary behaviour change programme aimed at reducing SUPs in the workplace. It also adds to the limited literature on voluntary behaviour change interventions overall and adds to the movement towards better application of theory in behaviour change interventions.

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“…Epoxy resins are commonly produced from bisphenol A (BPA), which is associated with environmental and health hazards because it can act as an endocrine-disrupting chemical. [10][11][12][13] Another starting material for epoxy resin synthesis is epichlorohydrin (ECH), which is also associated with various health concerns because highly toxic phosgene is used during the manufacturing process. 14,15 Therefore, researchers are seeking more environmentally friendly and health-safe methods in the process of manufacturing thermoset resins by excluding BPA and ECH.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, their cross‐linked structures limit their recyclability and raise concerns regarding their environmental impact. Epoxy resins are commonly produced from bisphenol A (BPA), which is associated with environmental and health hazards because it can act as an endocrine‐disrupting chemical 10–13 . Another starting material for epoxy resin synthesis is epichlorohydrin (ECH), which is also associated with various health concerns because highly toxic phosgene is used during the manufacturing process 14,15 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemically decomposable imine‐based thermoset using oxidized sugar

Jeong,

Goh

2023

J of Applied Polymer Sci

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Increasing environmental concerns have driven the pursuit of sustainable alternatives to petrochemical‐based plastics in polymer chemistry. In this study, we demonstrated a method by which sugar, the most chemically produced biomass, can be used as a thermosetting resin. The sucrose was successfully oxidized, synthesized, and then incorporated into a resin. Sodium periodate (NaIO4) was used to convert sucrose into chemical raw materials. The resulting polymer, prepared via the imine reaction, exhibited a glass transition temperature Tg of 96°C, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry. Additionally, the thermosetting resin exhibited a tensile strength of 7 MPa, a modulus of 515 MPa, and a Tg of 100°C. We obtained reaction rate constants of 0.7 × 10−3 h−1 and 3.2 × 10−1 h−1 using THF and citric acid solutions, respectively. Furthermore, we reused the resin from the decomposed organic matter and confirmed that the resynthesized overall, our findings suggest the potential for green recycling by converting commonly used sugars into nature‐derived raw materials, leading to the development of eco‐friendly polymer synthesis.

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Plastic bans in India – Addressing the socio-economic and environmental complexities

Cited by 23 publications

References 30 publications

Study on the Synthesis and Properties of Biodegradable Poly(butylene diglycolate) Polyester

Study on the Synthesis and Properties of Biodegradable Poly(butylene diglycolate) Polyester

Reducing plastic waste in the workplace: a program evaluation

Chemically decomposable imine‐based thermoset using oxidized sugar

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