It is a crucial aspect of plastic mitigation strategies aimed at reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste. It involves collecting, processing, and converting used plastic materials into new products or materials, extending their lifecycle and reducing the need for new plastic production. There are some processes involved in this recycling, i.e. collection and sorting of used plastic, processing and treatment for further use, and conversion into another material. Recycling is considered a great approach in a circular economy where there is a minimum waste of resources.
Published in Chapter:
Plastic Pollution and Its Impact on Biodiversity
Copyright: © 2024
|Pages: 23
DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-6950-0.ch012
Abstract
Biodiversity loss is one of the most critical environmental problems nowadays. Several natural and anthropogenic causes are known to trigger it. Environmental pollution, including land degradation, has been long considered a significant contributor to biodiversity loss. However, the role of plastic pollution, especially microplastics, in biodiversity loss has been recognised relatively recently. This chapter delves into the complex relationship between biodiversity and plastic pollution, assessing how plastic degrades natural habitats, distorts the ecosystem, and threatens the survival of countless species, eventually disrupting the ecosystem's delicate balance. Through a review of scientific literature, the chapter probes the sources of plastic pollution, its various forms and the impacts of plastic on marine and terrestrial ecosystems. It examines how plastic waste ingestion, entanglement, and chemical contamination affect individual species, populations, and ecological communities. Lastly, the chapter discusses measures to manage plastic pollution and safeguard biodiversity.