World Environment Day draws attention to today's pressing environmental problems and brings together millions of people from more than 150 countries. It is celebrated on June 5 and organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to highlight a particular environmental problem, and this year it focuses on the plastic pollution. 2023 marks 50 years of World Environment Day. The #BeatPlasticPollution campaign, which is launched on World Environment Day 2023, calls for global solutions to combat plastic pollution. More information, materials and presentations can be found on the World Environment Day website and in the practical guide.
The popularity of plastic and the scale of the problem
Plastic production has surged over the past 50 years and is expected to double over the next 20 years. If no action is taken, plastic pollution is set to triple by 2060. For this reason, it is important that we transition as soon as possible towards a circular economy that is healthier and more economically viable.
The annual production of plastic is approximately 430 million tonnes, two-thirds of which are short-lived products that soon become waste. Of that, less than 10 per cent is recycled. It is estimated that around 19-23 million ton of plastics end up in lakes, rivers, and seas. It is a less known fact that much plastic pollution is not visible to the naked eye. Microplastics – tiny fragments of plastic measuring less than 5mm in length – are present in the food we eat, the water we drink and even the air that we breathe.
EU Strategy
The European Union (EU) has, among other things, developed a European Strategy for Plastics (more available on the European Commission's website), which aims to transform the way plastic products are designed, produced, used, and recycled in the EU. Plastics Strategy addresses three main issues: how to reduce the use of fossil fuels in the production of plastics, how to make plastics more recyclable and how to minimise plastic pollution, especially in the seas and oceans.
Waste separation is important because its recycling rate is up to 80 times higher compared to mixed waste collection schemes.
How is Slovenia tackling plastic pollution?
Slovenia follows EU guidelines in the fight against plastic pollution, but also has its own regulations, resolutions, guidelines, and programmes to reduce plastic pollution.
❗ In Slovenia, more than 12.3 million tons of all types of waste were collected last year, an increase of 30% compared to the previous year. Around 10 million tons of waste were foreseen for different types of reprocessing, of which almost 7 million tons for landfilling and almost 3 million tons for recycling. For example, in 2020, around 262 million plastic bottles of beverages as well as milk and dairy products were placed on the market in Slovenia. This resulted in around 8 tonnes of plastic bottle waste. Of these, 99% are PET bottles. It is encouraging to see that the use of recycled rPET bottles is increasing.
Beating plastic pollution at University of Maribor:
The University of Maribor (UM), together with its members, is following guidelines to reduce plastic pollution.
This includes:
- Waste separation - installation of appropriate waste bins.
- Use of biodegradable products and no more single-use plastic products.
- Use of glasses and water pitchers instead of plastic bottles at various meetings and sessions.
- Water bars - water dispensers installed to provide hot and cold, fresh water of good quality.
Healthy oceans, seas, coastal and inland waters
The project REMEDIES with the full name "REMEDIES - Co-creating strong uptake of remedies for the future of our oceans through deploying plastic litter valorization and preventive pathways" also involves the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of the University of Maribor as a project partner.
Through nine demonstration centres in the Mediterranean, the project will reach approximately 100,000 people, collect approximately 400 tons of plastic waste, and build pathways for alternative (zero-waste) solutions that lead to the prevention of plastic use.
How can you contribute to solving this global problem?
🌍 Volunteer with local plastic clean-up groups.
🌍 Shift your behaviour to avoid single-use plastic whenever possible.
🌍 Bring your own bags to the grocery store; avoid purchasing over-packaged products.
🌍 Purchase items with extended warranties that can be repaired and ensure you find a reliable recycler for when the product reaches its end of life.
🌍 Empower yourself for sustainable development. As part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), we are implementing the project Effective Education for Green and Digital Transition (UM Rectorate), where we also organise lectures on the green and digital transition and raise awareness on sustainable development among staff and students. You are cordially invited to future lectures, which are announced on dogodki.um.si.