A
2. Consider the following sources:
Souree A: Adapted from a report in 2016
Global Flow of Plastic Packaging Waste *2013
Lost in
process 4%
.For recycling 14%
Incinerated
78 MiLLION
Landfilled
32%
Entered the environment (especially the oceans)because of
non-collection or poorly managed collection and disposal systems
Recycled into lower-value
products 8%
TONNES
(Annual Production)
Effectively recycled 2%
14%
40%
*Notes:·Plastic packaging materials is the largest category of plastic products.
·This diagram is not drawn in exact proportion.
Source B
| Table 1:The Ranking of the Top Five Countries/Regions that Cumulatively Imported
the Highest Amount of Plastic Waste (1988-2016)(percentnge of the weight of global imports of plastie waste)
Table 2: The Ranking of the Top Five Countries/Regions that Exported the Highest Amount of Plastic Waste to China in 2016 (percentage of the weight of total plastie waste imports to China)
|
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A
Source C: Adapted from news reports dated 12 February and 6 July 2018
| In January 2018,the Chinese government banned the importation of foreign waste,including some plastic scraps.Earlier investigations on the mainland had found widespread mixing of toxic materials with imported scrap plastic,and some recycling companies dumping imports in landfill sites.
Since it has been cheaper to export plastic waste than to dispose of it locally,some western companies have been scrambling for alternative markets in countries which still allow the import of plastic waste after the importation ban imposed by China.However,Thailand also banned the importation of plastic waste in July 2018,while Malaysia is considering implementing similar measures. Besides,the European Commission’s Plastics Strategy,which was unveiled in January 2018,says its drive to make all plastic packaging recyclable or reusable by 2030 could create 200000 jobs on condition that recycling capacity is significantly increased.However,recycling of plastic is very complicated due to the addition of various chemicals to manufacture plastic products.Moreover, with oil prices relatively low,it has become cheaper to produce new plastic than to buy scrap plastic for recycling. New initiatives have been introduced in different parts of the world.For instance,Seattle is the first city in the U.S.to ban plastic straws.Alternatives to plastic straws,such as straws made of paper, pasta or bamboo,have been considered by some enterprises around the world. |
(a) From Source A,identify and elaborate on one concern that an environmentalist may have on the disposal of plastic packaging waste. (4 marks)
(b) Describe two major features of the flow of plastic waste shown in Source B. (5 marks)
(c) ‘Bans on the import of plastic waste imposed by Asian countries will bring about positive environmental impacts at a global level.’Using the sources provided,elaborate on one argument supporting this claim and one argument opposing this claim. (8 marks)
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