Global plastic waste production has skyrocketed in the past decade, doubling between 2009 and 2019 to reach a staggering 460 million tonnes. Shockingly, this number is projected to triple by the year 2060, painting a grim picture of the severity of the problem we face. A simple analogy puts the issue into perspective: if we were to stack all the grocery bags alone, they would reach the moon and back 5,790 times. This problem is further exacerbated by the fact that it takes a thousand years for these bags to decompose.
Recycling: A Broken Promise
Despite the grand promises made by the international community and major plastic producers, only a mere 9 percent of plastic waste is actually recycled. To make matters worse, a significant portion of the waste marked as recycled is shipped off to developing countries in Asia, only to end up in their landfills. This deceptive practice is a stark reminder that the problem at hand is not new and demands urgent action.
Plastic Waste into Sustainable Building Materials?
Concept Loop, a climate tech startup, aims to tackle the plastic waste problem through a sustainable and scalable recycling model. By focusing on the circularity of “non-recyclable” low-value multi-layer plastics and others, Concept Loop has developed innovative solutions such as paver blocks for footpaths and walk-in areas, decorative sheets, and partition boards made from recycled plastic. Not only does this approach alleviate the burden on communities living near dumping fields, where the plastic waste is often burned, but it also provides employment opportunities for those involved in collecting and sorting the waste.
Progress and Challenges Ahead
Concept Loop has already made significant strides in offsetting plastic waste, with 20,000 kg already accounted for, resulting in 69,000 kg of environmental savings. The company aims to increase these figures to 170,000 kg and 589,000 kg, respectively, by the end of the year. However, establishing a successful plastic recycling setup in a developing country like Pakistan is no easy task. While Concept Loop has plans to commercialize its paver blocks initially, other products such as partition boards and decorative sheets are still in different stages of development. Pricing, though not disclosed, is expected to be at a slight premium initially but will become comparable to or lower than traditional market products as efficiency and infrastructure improve.
