Rebecca Waters explores what practices can do to help.
Plastic pollution isn’t a new concern. Indeed, as awareness surrounding plastic pollution has grown over the last decade or so, it seems that there has been almost constant coverage on the topic.
But what about the UK’s approach to plastic pollution, and in what ways can professionals embrace change to help make a difference?
Let’s look at the stats
Currently, the UK is estimated to generate around 2.36 metric tons (mt) of plastic waste per year. Out of this, it’s thought that between 32 per cent and 43.8 per cent is recycled (1.03 million mt). It is difficult to accurately assess the current level of plastic waste being recycled and the amount entering landfill. A lot of plastics will find their way into natural environments such as the ocean through improper disposal and therefore can’t be properly assessed. Some plastics may be produced in home environments through processes such as 3D printing and therefore won’t be recorded, and some pieces of plastic that are collected for recycling won’t necessarily be reprocessed. Indeed, plastic recycling in the UK recently came under fire when it was revealed that huge amounts of plastic waste was being sent to illegal processing units or dumps in other countries such as China and Malaysia.
We also have to address the elephant in the room – the pandemic. With demand for single-use plastics such as facemasks and other PPE booming during the last two years, as well as the heightened need for plastics in healthcare settings, it’s inevitable that the amount of plastic produced and the resulting level of plastic waste will have risen. One study suggests that as much as 8.4m mt of pandemic-associated plastic waste has been generated around the globe since early 2020, a significant portion of which ended up in global oceans (more than 25 mt). Whilst we cannot accurately know how much of this waste was created specifically in the UK, it’s still food for thought and a significant indicator that more needs to be done to reduce plastic waste, and ensure that more plastic is recycled and kept away from natural habitats.
It’s not all doom and gloom, however, and the UK has made a number of important steps towards limiting the plastic waste being produced. An especially significant measure was the ban on the use of microbeads – miniscule pieces of plastic found in exfoliating creams, shower gel and other products that would end up being washed directly into the ocean. Other steps forward have included plastic free aisles in supermarkets, the ban of single-use plastic items such as straws and earbuds, as well as a general push for companies to make more eco-conscious choices concerning packaging and the materials used to create products.
Additionally, our current plastic bag tax has resulted in a highly significant 90 per cent reduction in plastic bag sales. Government statistics suggest that the average person buys just 10 plastic bags a year, compared to the almost 140 plastic bags per person that were being used before the tax was introduced in 2015.
Attitudes surrounding plastic waste are also changing. Initiatives to get children and schools involved are now taking place across the country, and plastic pollution is now addressed in the curriculum to ensure that younger generations understand the significance of the issue. But are you joining in to reduce plastic use in your practice?
Unfortunately, due to infection control necessities and the very nature of dentistry, completely abolishing plastic in the industry isn’t viable at this stage. However, that doesn’t mean that dental professionals can’t explore various ways to cut down on plastic in their workplaces.
There are the obvious actions such as removing or replacing single-use plastics like water cups where possible, as well as encouraging staff to avoid plastic packaging when bringing in food to consume while on their work breaks. You can also explore the products you use in practice and whether there are greener alternatives that come in recyclable packaging – a significant portion of manufacturers are now looking to use less plastic, so this should make switching easier as you’ll have plenty of options. For example, Initial Medical has recently introduced a new solution – rigid cardboard waste containers for clinical waste. Constructed from recycled carboard, these lightweight, collapsible, and easy to assemble containers, are an affordable and eco-friendly choice. They come with a high-density polyethylene liner to ensure that they are suitable for dry and infectious waste, while extra features such as carry handles for easier transportation, and an optional reusable frame to keep containers off the ground, ensure that they seamlessly fit into your current waste management workflows.
While the overall picture of plastic pollution in the UK isn’t a totally positive one, there are considerable steps being made to ensure that the future is brighter. By looking at the options available to you and making a conscious effort to reduce plastic use where possible in practice, you can rest assured that you’ve done your bit to tackle the UK plastic pollution problem.
References available on request.