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“Life in plastic, it’s fantastic!” Or not!

Published 20th October 2009 - 8 comments - 1397 views -

The carbon footprint of plastic (LDPE or PET, polyethylene) is about 6 kg CO2 per kg of plastic.

In a year, just the 2l plastic bottles we throw away weight around 133.000 tons. That's 798.000 tons of CO2.

If you visit Romania in the near future, don't freak out if you see piles of plastic bottles and other plastic junks fashionably spread in strategic places, on the fields, near the roads. You're in a country that doesn't recycle plastic and some of its inhabitants share an odd condition - they miss the garbage bins. Or they just don't care where they throw their plastic leftovers. Thus, places like this

or this

both pics were taken during the weekend that passed

Or the ecological disaster that happens every single spring -

Bicaz dam, photos taken last spring by Daniel Cute

In Western Europe plastic bottles are returned to the stores and recycling is a basic sign of civilization. In Romania, waters, fields and towns become hideous sightseeings of plastic monsters tanning in the sun.

This nightmare is supposed to stop next year, when the 'return to the store' rule might apply here, too. People are fond of plastic but there's something else they love more: money. And if some store is going to pay a penny for a bottle ...

Let's just say that if you want to see the plastic extravaganza above live, you should book a vacation here as soon as possible. 

I, for one, am eagerly looking forward to reaching a country stage with less CO2 emissions. At least 798.000 tons less. 

*I wish I would have found updated data of when | where | how the plastic recycling campaign will start, but until the presidential campaign finishes, until a new government is chosen, nobody up there has time an interest in dealing with this greedy plastic world. 

Category: Sustainable Development, | Tags: carbon footprint, carbon footprint, co2, plastic bottles,



Comments

Adela on 20th October 2009:

Later edit . You can also check out this video. (via zoso )

Diego Casaes on 20th October 2009:

It is the same in Brazil. It is sad people still rely on plastic for so many things. Are these pictures from the capital or is it the same in the whole country?

Anyway, the title of the post is nice raspberry I wonder if you plan to post something about carbon print and planes, maybe you should entitle the post as “around the world”, one of Aqua best songs haha raspberry

Adela on 21st October 2009:

Hehe, you got it right, it’s Aqua’s ‘Barbie girl’ smile And thanks for the ‘around the world’ tip. If I use it, I’ll give you the credits. smile

As for the pics, in fact none is from the capital. First two are taken near a railroad, in the country side, not far from where I live. The others are at Pitesti - a city closer to the capital.

Adela on 21st October 2009:

Ooops, the other pics are from Bicaz dam and the video is from Pitesti.

Daniel on 21st October 2009:

Adela, you write excellent about Romania, but I think you are too kind on Western Europe wink

These pictures from the dam remind me of a similar dam, with a similar sight in Kurdjeli, Bulgaria… Ten meters deep it was filled with plastic rubbish, gathered from upstream. Unfortunately it was not allowed to take photos there because it was a protected area.

Adela on 21st October 2009:

In comparison to us, countries in Western Europe are more self & eco-aware. I didn’t mean they are perfect (everybody has its own issues) but at least, they covered the basics -

I doubt that you would ever see something similar in Germany or in The Netherlands.

Anindita on 21st October 2009:

@adela Its worse in india! Even here people are heavily dependent on plastics. but some cities are trying be’plastic free’ towns and are providing little incentives for returning plastic bags. Here is one such town thats trying go plastic free and also, you could be charged if break the law http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/05/vasco_indias_pl.php

Adela on 21st October 2009:

Incentives are good, but money are better. If this plan is implemented, I’m sure it’s going to work in my country.

Even if some persons would not take their plastic bottles back to the supermarket, there would be a category of (poor) people that will do it for them.

My question is other: what will happen to all the plastic? Because as far as I know, we don’t have the tech means needed to recycle it. And exporting?! it is doubtful.

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