Plastic revolution: circular economy for sustainable solutions in Berlin

Plastic revolution: circular economy for sustainable solutions in Berlin

Berlin, October 24, 2024 - plastics, these inevitable companions of our modern life are everywhere! But what happens to all the plastic waste that occurs in Germany every year? Five million tons of plastic waste! Incredible 55 percent of which end up on the garbage dump or in the incineration plant. This is a real scandal! Only 45 percent are recycled - far too little for a sustainable future!

The burning question that arises: How can we drive the circular economy and contain the plastic scrap? This discusses Dr. Johannes Klinge in the brand new podcast "Please turn!" of the eco-institute. In his passionate plea, he explains: "The design of the products plays a crucial role in their recyclability!". The expert knows that we have to start with the manufacture early on in order to bring about a real turn in the plastic economy.

The dark side of the plastics

What many may not know: Every year the German plastic industry produces more than 21 million tons of new plastics. Packaging, vehicles, electronics - they are used everywhere, and in fact they offer some environmental advantages, such as light packaging materials that reduce emissions during transport. But the dark sides are serious!

plastics are mainly made from fossil raw materials, and recycling is often more expensive and more complicated than the new production. The majority of the plastics burn during their disposal and releases harmful greenhouse gases! This is a clear case of mismanagement, because many countries outside of Germany deposit their plastic waste - and often without legal regulations. This means that a lot of plastic gets into the environment in an uncontrolled manner!

"We have to ensure that plastics from construction or vehicles are more likely to be recycled!", Asks Dr. Blade urgently. The needs of nature can no longer be ignored! It is urgently needed to reduce the pollutants in plastics and to avoid their use in difficult -to -recyclable materials.

The way to the circular economy

For a functioning circular economy, Klinge emphasizes, the economy of high -quality plastic utilization must increase. This is about more than just the statistics: companies need security and better conditions to be able to use recyclates effectively. "The prices have to be right!" He sums it up. This is the only way to move companies to use recycled plastics instead of using new materials.

Of course, the design is also crucial! High -quality products must be designed so that they are easily recyclable. This means that we do not have to do without superfluous additives and that products are not allowed to design products in difficult to separate composites. Dr. Klinge demands clear political guidelines to reduce packaging waste and to facilitate recycling.

The podcast "Please turn!" is a must for everyone interested from politics, science and public! Current topics related to sustainability are discussing and informative here. Together with the moderators Mandy Schoßig and Hannah Oldenburg, Dr. Blade as important it is to address and understand these topics in public to bring about real change!

If you want to learn more, listen to the episode "Circular Economy for plastics - is that possible?" to that was published on October 24, 2024. The podcast is available on all major platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify - so go and switch on!

We have to act for a sustainable future now. The clock ticks and the topic of plastics will not let go of us until we have finally taken the right way!