The Role of Plastics in the World the SDGs is Aiming

Abstract

Due to superior property as a material, production of plastic has expanded dramatically since the second half of the 20th century, and it being manufactured worldwide more than 400 million tons. In a world where infectious diseases are rampant, inexpensive and lightweight plastics can play an important role in bringing clean water and medical supplies to people in developing countries and poor communities. On the other hand, some illegally dumped waste plastic has been spilled into the ocean, causing serious damage to marine ecosystems, and potentially affecting human health. Waste plastics have come to be one of the key environmental issues.

For the recycling of waste plastics, it is desirable to select the most appropriate method from mechanical recycling, feedstock recycling, and energy recovery, taking into account the quality and quantity of the object. At present, plastics are mainly manufactured from fossil resources, but in the future, renewable resources will be the main raw material. To minimize the amount of precious organic resources introduced into the market, recycling of waste plastics should be promoted. In the world the SDGs aiming, good price and high quality are not enough, but also environmental protection, and ethics considering for biodiversity or human right are important.