Countries reduce plastic waste effectively by banning single-use plastics, enhancing recycling, and investing in waste management infrastructure. Public education and extended producer responsibility further promote sustainable plastic use and circular economy practices.
Abdelhak Maghchiche I agree, but that is too theoretical- we need real-world solutions.
Phil Geis You have always been critical- can you come up with something novel of your own? Instead of stalking and criticising others?
Countries like China, Germany, and Turkey have effectively reduced plastic waste through bans on single-use plastics, deposit return schemes, and improved recycling infrastructure. These measures have led to millions of tons of plastic waste reduction and higher recycling rates. Combining legislation, infrastructure investment, and public education proves essential for large-scale plastic waste management.
https://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/sites/default/files/projects/Plastic-Pollution-Policy-Country-Profile-Turkey.pdf
https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/topics/in-depth/waste-and-recycling/municipal-and-packaging-waste-management-country-profiles-2025/de-municipal-waste-factsheet.pdf/@@download/file
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301479722002596
https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2025/05/monitoring-trade-in-plastic-waste-and-scrap-2025_5903e6d9/3ac3688c-en.pdf
Aftab Haider
You might check my profile, PhD microbiology - 30 years as scientist abd manager at a major global company. I now teach
To this issue - among my responsibilities was solid waste for a major global company and served multiple terms of the solid waste commission of a major US city. The US does not have that much of a plastic waste issue. Most is landfilled, tho that may not be long term.
I'll offer the best technology for plastic and all waste I've seen is waste to energy. https://www.epa.gov/smm/energy-recovery-combustion-municipal-solid-waste-msw
The heavy hand of government may force/constrain citizens to comply. That is unlikely to work in the US. Further waste to energy is cost effective.
Abdelhak Maghchiche
I recall the German "ban" on single use plastic was focused on pretty trivial stuff - cutlery, straws and such and some plastic bags. Do not know if it's gone beyond that . Was it the same in Turkey?
Please understand that recycling anywhere is not cost effective but for aluminum, and recycling numbers reported may be material gathered for recycling. Some Eu countries report materials prepared for recycling.
Microbiological degradation of plastic is a largely a laboratory exercise of doubtful validity.
Phil Geis
You are correct that recycling is generally not cost-effective for many plastics except for certain materials like aluminum, and reported recycling rates often reflect materials collected or prepared for recycling rather than actually recycled. Microbiological degradation of plastics remains largely experimental and not yet practically viable on a commercial scale.
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