The plastic is (not so) great!

Environmental impact of end of life products: plastics, chemicals, vehicles, agri-food marketing. direct recycling and recycling (upcycling or upcycling) and reuse of good items for the trash!
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Re: The plastic is (not so) great!




by sen-no-sen » 27/03/18, 17:58

The large plastic waste vortex of the North Pacific is much larger than expected

For years, scientists have followed a large accumulation of floating debris, mostly pieces of plastic, in the North Pacific Ocean, called the North Pacific Waste Vortex, or "garbage vortex" (GPGP for Great Pacific). Garbage Patch). This area, according to the latest research, contains much more plastic than was suggested in previous surveys ... and it continues to grow.

The GPGP contains 79 000 metric tons (87 000 tons) of plastic, 10 at 16 times more than previous estimates, according to new research released this week. In addition, the plastic pollution inside the GPGP "is increasing exponentially and at a faster rate than in the surrounding waters," say the researchers. For the many marine animals that inhabit this vast ocean region, it is a terrible development.

The waste vortex is an area of ​​1,6 million square kilometers between Hawaii and California. Here, floating debris, ranging from microscopic particles of plastic to large pieces such as ropes and fishing nets, are carried by the currents and accumulate. Similar areas exist in other oceans.

The researchers collected data from aerial surveys and nets towed by ships and integrated them into a computer model. Thus, they estimated that there is about one kilogram of plastic per square kilometer in the outer regions and that it reaches more than 100 kg / km2 near the center.

http://www.gurumed.org/2018/03/23/le-grand-vortex-de-dchets-plastique-du-pacifique-nord-est-beaucoup-plus-important-que-prvu/
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Re: The plastic is (not so) great!




by moinsdewatt » 09/04/18, 20:08

The body of a sperm whale filled with 29 kg of waste runs aground in Spain

By Anne-Sophie Tassart the 09.04.2018

The Spanish region of Murcia reported that a cetacean had stranded on its shores. According to the autopsy, the animal consumed 29 kilos of waste.
The overconsumption of plastics and pollution of the marine environment have claimed another victim. In a press release published on April 4, 2018, the region of Murcia located in south-eastern Spain reveals that the corpse of a sperm whale (also called Grand cachelot, Physeter macrocephalus by its scientific name) was discovered near the lighthouse from Cabo de Palos on February 27. "

After being removed from the beach, the animal was autopsied, "said the Spanish authorities. According to the examination, it was a male 10 meters in length." During the internal examination, was detected in its digestive system (stomach and intestine) 29 kg of marine debris "including garbage bags, pieces of nets, or a can. According to experts, the sperm whale would have succumbed to the presence of this waste in its These materials "could have caused his death due to peritonitis or impaction of the digestive system due to the inability to expel them," the statement said.

The Sperm whale is a vulnerable species according to IUCN

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Environment has decided to launch an awareness campaign to reduce the consumption of plastics but also their release in natural areas. For her part, Consuelo Rosauro, the regional director in charge of natural environments explained that "the presence of plastics in the oceans and seas is one of the greatest threats to the conservation of fauna in the world. Many animals are trapped by waste or ingest large amounts of plastics that end up causing their death. And the region of Murcia is no stranger to this problem that we must face through cleaning actions and, above all, by raising awareness among citizens " . The species Physeter macrocephalus is classified in the category "Vulnerable" the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is also classified by the Spanish Royal Decree 139/2011.

https://www.sciencesetavenir.fr/animaux ... gne_122894
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Re: The plastic is (not so) great!




by moinsdewatt » 26/04/18, 22:48

Record microplastic rate in the Arctic Ocean

Researchers have found up to 12 000 particles per liter frozen in the pack ice.

THE WORLD 25.04.2018 By Sylvie Burnouf

Up to 12 000 microplastic particles per liter: the figure is so huge that we can hardly believe it, but this is what researchers from the Alfred-Wegener Institute found for polar and marine research (AWI, Germany) by melting sea ice samples taken from the Arctic zone.

On board the Polarstern, their ice-breaking research vessel, they conducted three expeditions between 2014 and 2015, collecting ice cores along the transpolar drift (a major ocean current in the Arctic) and the Strait of Fram (at the junction between the central Arctic and the North Atlantic) to characterize the content and composition of microplastics.

Their results, published in the 24 April in Nature Communications, are staggering: none of the five areas analyzed were virgin contaminants. Like frozen cocktails, ice packs contained residues of seventeen kinds of plastics, including polyethylene and polypropylene (used especially in packaging), paint, cellulose acetate (from cigarette), nylon and polyester. With a total of 1 100 12 000 microdebris per liter of chilled water - rates well above those found elsewhere, although some methodological differences limit direct comparisons.

Seventh continent


These particles were carried there by the sea currents, explain the researchers. And, "With global plastic production around 300 million tonnes per year, it's no wonder there's no more spared area," says Johnny Gaspéri, lecturer at the Water, Environment and Water Laboratory. urban systems (LEESU, University Paris-Est-Créteil).

The pack ice then accumulates, whether at the beginning of its formation or when it expands as it drifts with the arctic currents. In fact, depending on the sampling zone, the composition in microplastics varied, and their provenance also. Using satellite data coupled with thermodynamic ice-pack formation models, biologists were able to trace the path of their samples and identify potential sources of pollution.

For example, the high levels of polyethylene observed in some areas of the Arctic could, they say, come from the seventh continent, the gigantic mass of plastic floating in the Pacific Ocean. As for the paint and nylon residues, it appears that they result from local pollution linked to human activity - in particular from the decomposition of the painted hulls of boats and fishing nets - suggesting that the development of these activities in the Arctic "leaves traces", according to the terms of Ilka Peeken, the first author of the study.

If microplastics are defined by a size smaller than five millimeters, two-thirds of those taken during expeditions of the Polarstern measured at most one twentieth of a millimeter. "This means that they could easily be ingested by Arctic microorganisms, such as ciliates or copepods [the major component of zooplankton]," says Ilka Peeken.

What are the environmental and health impacts? Research on the subject is in its infancy. For now, "no one can say for sure how tiny these plastic particles are likely to be dangerous to marine life, any more than one can know for humans," says Ilka Peeken.

However, complete Françoise Amélineau, biologist at the Littoral Institute Environment and Societies (LiEnSs, University of La Rochelle), we know that "plastics tend to fix pollutants" and that there is a phenomenon of "biomagnification" by which the concentration of pollutants increases at each stage of the food chain. Especially since the "frozen" microplastics do not remain trapped in the pack ice: they end up being released after a few years. With, in one way or another, a probable return to our countries.

http://www.lemonde.fr/pollution/article ... 52666.html
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Re: The plastic is (not so) great!




by moinsdewatt » 31/05/18, 21:39

In Europe, disposable plastic at the end of life

Olivier Cognasse Factory New the 31 / 05 / 2018

Europe has decided to tackle the pollution of the seas. The Commission wants to ban a dozen single-use plastic products from 2022. France wants to go even further.

Europe is tackling plastic waste that pollutes and asphyxiates oceans and seas. It targets ten single-use plastic products that too often end up on the beaches, which sticks swab, cutlery, plates, straws, sticks mixers for drinks and rods for plastic balloons. They will have to be made from more durable materials. For single-use beverage containers, they will only be permitted if their caps and lids remain attached to the container.

Plastic waste pollutes our oceans and our soils.

These products today represent 70% of all marine litter. Europe would like to apply this new directive in 2022.

France wants to go further

In France, some of these products will be banned in France as early as the 1er January 2020. And the government intends to go further by removing plastic microbeads in cosmetics and setting a goal of 100% recyclable packaging by 2025.

https://www.usinenouvelle.com/article/l ... ie.N700904
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Re: The plastic is (not so) great!




by moinsdewatt » 03/06/18, 13:42

Thailand: pilot whale dies after swallowing 80 plastic bags

2th June 2018

A pilot whale (pilot whale) died after drinking more than 80 plastic bags in southern Thailand, officials said, after a vain attempt to rescue the mammal.

Image
A team of veterinarians tried to save her "but eventually the whale died." AFP

Thailand is one of the world's largest consumers of plastic bags, killing hundreds of sea creatures every year living near the country's busy beaches.

This cetacean of the dolphin family, a young male, is the latest victim being found barely alive near the border with Malaysia, said the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources on his Facebook page Saturday.

A team of veterinarians tried to save her "but finally the whale died" Friday afternoon, continues the message.

According to the autopsy, the animal had in the stomach 80 plastic bags that weighed about eight kilos, the ministry said.

The cetacean had vomited five plastic bags during the rescue operation.

These bags prevented the mammal from eating any other nutritious food, according to Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a biologist and lecturer at Kasetsart University in Bangkok.

At least 300 marine animals including whales, sea turtles and dolphins die every year in Thai waters after swallowing plastic, detailed Thon Thamrongnawasawat.

http://www.liberation.fr/planete/2018/0 ... ue_1656202
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Re: The plastic is (not so) great!




by Christophe » 24/07/18, 19:25

A few figures in one image to (re) put orders of magnitude in place ... the plastic is not at all HAS BEEN, on the contrary ...

https://www.novethic.fr/actualite/infog ... 46089.html


infog_plastique.png
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Re: The plastic is (not so) great!




by moinsdewatt » 11/08/18, 14:30

New Zealand prohibits single-use plastic bags

August 10, 2018

New Zealand on Friday announced a phased ban on single-use plastic bags next year, touted as "a significant step" in reducing pollution.

"Hundreds of millions" of these bags are used each year, lamented Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, recalling their disastrous environmental consequences, on marine life in particular.

“We have to be a lot smarter in the way we deal with waste, and this is a good start,” she added.

"We are starting to phase out single-use plastic bags in order to take better care of our environment and protect New Zealand's clean and green reputation," continued the Labor Prime Minister, whose coalition also includes the Green Party. .
.........


https://www.google.fr/amp/s/actu.orange ... 15AjE8.amp
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Re: The plastic is (not so) great!




by Christophe » 13/08/18, 15:59



It is not false!
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moinsdewatt
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Re: The plastic is (not so) great!




by moinsdewatt » 14/08/18, 11:50

Burundi announces the end of plastic bags in a year and a half
By AFP, published the 14 / 08 / 2018

"The manufacture, import, storage, sale and use of all sachets and other plastic packaging are prohibited", according to this text signed by Mr. Nkurunziza.

"A grace period of 18 months is granted, as from the entry into force of this decree, to sell the available stocks and the orders already placed", specifies the text.
......

https://www.google.fr/amp/s/www.lexpres ... 7.amp.html
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Re: The plastic is (not so) great!




by Christophe » 14/08/18, 14:33

When I was in the USA in 2002, plastic bags were already almost non-existent, everything was in "Kraft" type paper bags ...

This practice is not at all recent: just watch some movies of the 80 years with scenes of races (not automotive huh..Ok I go out) ...

In short, on the plastic bags the USA show the good example (and for a long time to suppose that they used one day ... not on!)
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