Environmental protection
Protecting the environment means securing the future
Life on Earth depends on functioning ecosystems.
The disruption of these systems by plastic waste has become a global issue. As plastic production continues to rise, so does environmental pollution – putting our future on this planet at risk.
Avoiding waste
Cutting back on consumption is the most effective way to act sustainably. However, this requires a complete change of lifestyle, which is something few people are able or willing to do. That said, many people regularly reduce their consumption in certain situations. This kind of occasional cutback is quite achievable. After all, how often do we find ourselves choosing products based on supposedly value-adding features – only to realize later that we didn’t actually need them?
Reducing waste
Basic product design involves eliminating unnecessary features – resource-efficient design goes further by also considering the product’s actual use. Design for Recycling (DfR) plays a key role in ensuring that the materials within a product can be recovered efficiently. Once again waste prevention is placed at the forefront.
Collecting waste
A key factor for successful recycling is the quality of the collected waste. The necessary infrastructure can be complex, and the motivation of waste producers to dispose of their waste according to defined rules is often limited. Clear regulations and appropriate incentive systems are needed. Ultimately, the waste owner will provide this valuable resource to whoever offers the best return.
