Abstract
The twentieth century is the starting point in waste and resource management to preserve natural sources and energy. The fast-growing population, climate change, and source scarcity have also forced countries to implement practical methods concerning the relationship between economic growth and environmental deterioration issues. Regarding this background, circular economy and industrial ecology are efficient ways to end up the current linear economy. In this subject, plastic recycling can maintain the planet’s resources and decreases the pollution of production from raw materials.
Introduction
The current production and consumption strategies have led to many environmental and economic issues, such as limited landfill space and growing need for energy. European countries have chosen a practical plan to overcome these issues, transitioning from a linear economy toward a circular waste economy. One of the most significant problems is landfills full of plastic wastes, and because of the high decomposition time of plastic molecules, we cannot behave with them like other wastes. Hence, recycling is the best choice in dealing with plastic materials. However, in some industries, the use of plastic recycled materials is forbidden or limited.
The 20th century is known for gains in labor productivity and flourishing the industry. But in the 21st century, there is an urgent need for recycling the produced objects and gain productivity in resources. In other words, we can benefit from previously made items by recycling them. Thus it can reduce energy and money. As an example, the report by Cédric Villani (March 2018) addressed the availability of silicon for computer power requirements (DICOM-DGPR/PLA/18061 – June 2018, www.eco-label.com).
One of the most favorable decisions about climate change challenges is developing a low carbon economy. As a responsible member of the International community, Singapore has outlined strategies to reduce the carbon emission published in recent manuscripts (Our National Climate Change Strategy document, Climate Change, and Singapore: Challenges. Opportunities. Partnerships. Published in 2012). Needless to say, we need to do more to have a resilient climate future. One of the promising methods toward this aim is a long-term low emission development strategy (LEDS). It addresses required action policies for a well-managed transition to a low carbon economy under the Paris agreement (CHARTING SINGAPORE’S LOW-CARBON AND CLIMATE RESILIENT FUTURE).
This article represents a case study for the waste management system between one European country (Finland) and an Asian country (Singapore). Here, the main objective is dealing with plastic wastes. Also, the LED strategy for overcoming this issue is discussed thoroughly. Moreover, future approaches for developing more applicable methods are argued.
Appropriate transition to a circular economy
Waste management in Singapore
Waste management in Finland
Plastic usage in a circular economy
Future attitudes toward waste management
Conclusion