Ecofriendly system for a better world

By Barrister Sarah Asim Khan

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Fionn Ferreira, a youngster from Ireland, has created a project to extricate microplastics or microbeads from water; these are plastic pieces which are not more than 5mm in size. Microplastics are found in soaps, exfoliating scrubs, shower or bath creams, moisturizing creams, toothpaste and cosmetics. When millions of these plastic substances descend into the ocean through wastewater, it is eaten by marine creatures and fused into the food cycle which is detrimental to human health and marine life. 

In the technique of the project, oil, magnetite powder and magnets were amalgamated to distillate microplastics from water. The method used was most effective on fibres obtained from a washing machine and least effective on polypropylene plastics. 

Biodegradable means to decompose within a short timescale into natural components. Biodegradable material is trending to replace plastic usage; such material includes bamboo, wild grass, salt or banyan tree leaves, palm leaves, banana leaves, corn starch, rice husk, coconut husk fiber, avocado seeds, mango seeds, bagasse (byproduct of sugarcane), seaweed, casein (milk plastic), eggshells and shells of crabs, lobsters and prawns. Overuse of tree leaves is discouraged. It is suggested that wood and paper are inimical alternatives to plastic because their increased usage would lead to deforestation and their decomposition timescale is extensive compared to biodegradable alternatives. 

Speaking of bags, cloth, mesh, jute or tote bags are suitable alternatives to single-use plastic bags as they are robust and can be utilized multiple times. Ban on plastic straws is encouraged. Straws are produced from wild grass in Vietnam straws can also be made from bamboo, plant starch (polylactic acid/PLA) and corn starch which are biodegradable. 

Stainless steel straws are also being manufactured which is reusable but it must be used carefully so it does not rust and should be free from Bisphenol A (BPA) and polypropylene; it needs to be cleaned by using nylon brushes or a pipe cleaner. Biodegradable products to replace plastic must be organic and easily available in the market at affordable prices to achieve ecofriendly goals. 

Bioplastics are not necessarily biodegradable; they are manufactured with corn starch, cellulose, vegetable oil or vegetable fat; if chemical substances are combined then decomposition will take a long time. Paper can be manufactured from stones (calcium carbonate) instead of wood. Such paper is printable, renewable; and, oil, tear and water resistant. 

Paper can also be produced from Hemp. Such alternatives to manufacture paper will assist to curb deforestation. A biodegradable alternative to styrofoam is using mycelium in mushroom roots and blend it with agricultural byproducts such as cotton hulls, oat hulls, rice hulls or wheat chaff. The result is a product which looks like foam, its can cater to ecofriendly and organic packaging. 

Waste recycling can provide innovative business opportunities. Tom Meades from England is running a design studio called Gomi. In this studio, sustainable zero waste projects in London and Amsterdam are being executed by utilizing plastic waste from locally derived trash and converting it into digital portable speakers, vases, material dome and various crafts. 

Trash Art is emerging in Kenya where the locals collect rebuffed rubber flip flops and plastic litter to convert it into huge multicolour animal embellishment and accessories for display and sale. In different countries, plastic waste is converted into crocheted baskets, jewelry, hair rosettes, crochet mats and placements, crocheted shopping bags and assorted items. Trash Art and Crafts can provide job opportunities and income to destitute populous.

An interesting method for house construction is through discarded plastic bottles or even glass bottles which are compiled along with sand, cement, clay, sawdust, wood, rubber, iron or steel rod. This can be a creative and affordable method for construction in rural areas. Project Craft is creating rafts from discarded plastic bottles which can be a feasible method of waste recycling. Law of the land governs matters pertaining to construction and creation; hence, any such activities must be in compliance with the law. Adidas has recycled discarded plastic bottles and trash derived from the sea by converting it into sneakers and athletic wear. Nike has also derived plastic bottles from landfills and converted it into footgear. 

In the Kamikatsu village of Japan, Akira Sakano is the leader of Zero Waste Academy where trash is separated into nearly 45 categories and there are also sub categories. The local population is required to clean and segregate their waste and then bring it to the collection point. Such waste then can be recycled, diminished or reused. Segregated waste can easily be handed over to the recycler. This practice has effectively decreased waste in the village. 

Gul Bahao is an NGO based in Pakistan which has received international recognition. Its founder, Ms Nargis Latif, has offered incentives to convert waste into houses, shelters, furniture, toilets, water reservoirs, fodder and compost. Such houses and shelters are robust and can be constructed at a reasonable cost. Michiel Vos is the Founder of the company called CocoPallet which has created transportation pallets from coconut husk. Coconut husk is low cost compared to wood, it is abundant in Asia and the pallets are recyclable as they are organic. Coconut husks are fire resistant and using it instead of wood can curb deforestation. 

Rainwater harvesting is a method by which rain water is collected to be used later especially for washing purposes and watering gardens. Rainwater can be collected by using sand gravel filter, charcoal filter, pipe filter, sponge filter, dams, rooftop rainwater harvesting, surface runoff harvesting, direct storage, catchments, percolation tanks and recharging pits, trenches and wells. Rainwater harvesting is an efficient method to collect, save and use water. 

The law in the Philippines requires every school and college student to plant 10 trees before graduation. This law is called the ‘Graduation Legacy for the Environment Act’. Section 4 of the Act states that “the trees to be planted under this Act shall be located in any of the following areas, (a) Forestlands; (b) Mangrove and protected areas; (c) Ancestral domains; (d) Civil and military reservations; (e) Urban areas under the greening plan of the local government units (LGUs); (f) Inactive and abandoned mine sites; and, (g0 Other suitable lands”. Indigenous trees are planted according to topography and climate suitability. 

A researcher, Sandra Pascoe Ortiz in Mexico, has created cactus derived plastic which can biodegrade within one month and is edible. Ari Jonsson is from Iceland having created drinking water bottles from plastic which is derived from algae and is biodegradable. In Peru, banana leaves are used to create plates; the purpose is to minimize plastic pollution. In India, sal leaves are used to create plates. Roads are built in Jamshedpur, India by mixing plastic with bitumen. 

A ‘Garbage Cafe' in Ambikapur, India has opened; this café provides proper meals to people who collect one kilogram of plastic trash. Shayna EcoUnified India Pvt Ltd is creating tiles from plastic bottles and plastic waste which is further recyclable. DIY Leaf Confetti is produced to reduce plastic based confetti. A company called, Vollebak has created Plant and Algae t-shirt from wood pulp and algae which can decompose within 12 weeks. It can become a compost and food for worms. 

In Chile, a company has created Solubag which dissolves in water and is environmentally friendly. It has features like plastic; it is made from a derivative of limestone, thus, Solubag is an ecofriendly alternative to single use plastic bag. A pilot project is running in Istanbul, Turkey which provides train tickets or travel credit to passengers in exchange for plastic bottles instead money; this recycling method is effective for waste management. There is an ancient Japanese technique called Daisugi which enables lumber production without chopping trees. 

Pollarding is a Roman technique which is used to prevent trees and shrubs from exceeding their size or place; this technique can also be used to diminish shadow projected by trees and can also protect streetlights and electrical wires from being hampered by tree branches. Bamboo bottles are a good alternative to plastic bottles and the trend is being practiced in Sikkim, India. Coca Cola and Carlsberg have joined a Dutch biochemical company; Avantium which is producing plant based plastic bottles that can last up to a year and decompose in a composter. 

A scientist in the Philippines, Montinola has produced bio plastic from seaweed and mango. Bio-polymers are also called, pectin. They are contained in mango and seaweed; it is water soluble. Kaffeeform is a startup business in Berlin that is producing reusable and bio degradable coffee cups from recycled coffee grounds. Kenya has stationed a solar plant that converts seawater into drinking water; this approach may resolve water shortage issues. 

Water Shark is a drone which consumes garbage found in city water; this drone is produced by Ran Marine Technology and it prevents rubbish from reaching the ocean. Desert Control is a company which is using Liquid Nano Clay (LNC) to convert desert sand into fertile soil which can resolve agricultural issues. In some parts of the world, recycled plastic is being used to build roads by switching bitumen with plastic. These roads are strong and durable.