Plastic is a durable, versatile material and relatively inexpensive.

Plastic products have

brought benefits to society in many ways such as quality of life, jobs, and economic
activities. However, waste plastic also imposes environmental impacts. In view of the
fact that plastic is non-biodegradable, it can remain in the atmosphere for a exceedingly
long time and so plastic poses risks to the environment and human health, It is also
difficult to reuse and/or recycle in practice (European Commission, 2013a).

Many countries are trying to incorporate different strategies to increase plastic recycling
rates. According to the Environmental agency (UK), statutory recycling targets have
been given to all the local authorities in Wales (2012a). Whereas, in Scotland waste
regulations operates without statutory recycling targets, and here funds are available for
local authorities to help increase recycling rate(2012b). By making recycling mandatory
or funding recycling a difference can be made to global environmental issue that exists
because of waste.

This dissertation focuses on recycling, incineration, landfilling and pyrolysis that are
plastic waste disposal methods and their performance concerning climate change,
depletion of natural resources, energy demand, and water consumption that are
included as environmental impacts indicators. By using past LCAs findings, it
investigates plastic waste disposal options and environmental effect of the activities
involved in plastic waste management.

The Importance of Recycling Plastic

Technology is becoming bigger and better every day, and that means more materials than ever
before can be recycled. This crucial process of waste disposal can help reduce costs and
environmental concerns all over the world. Plastic is a very important recyclable because it can
negatively affect the environment and living beings in many ways. There are certain professionals,
such as Jim Bracken, who believe in plastic recycling near Chicago because of the good it does for
the community. Recycling and responsible waste management can help beautify Chicagoland and
the world.
It Reduces the Use of Natural Resources
By recycling plastic, the need to make more plastic can lessen. The process to make new plastic
uses more energy, petroleum, and water than the process of recycling plastic. If residential and
commercial properties make it a priority to recycle their plastics, the need for natural resources and
energy will reduce. This reduction can help reduce high levels of carbon dioxide in the environment.
It can also stop energy companies from drilling and farming for more natural resources.

It Reduces Landfill Space

Plastic can take several decades or longer to fully break down, whether it is in a landfill or littered in
the environment. By reducing and recycling plastic, consumers can save a significant amount of
landfill space meant for other biodegradable materials. When one ton of plastic is recycled, that can
save over seven cubic yards of landfill space. Once plastic has been recycled, it can be saved from
harming the environment as well as needlessly overfilling landfills.

It Can Save Animals

Though reduced plastic use is encouraged, recycling plastics can still positively impact animal life.
The more plastics that can be recycled, the less plastic there is in the oceans, rivers, rainforests, and
deserts. This reduction can keep dangerous plastics from encroaching on habitats, killing wildlife,
and destroying the surrounding environment.

2.1 Waste management methods and their environmental impacts

2.1.1 Landfill
A landfill is a one of the waste management methods in which solid wastes are
disposed in a manner that limits their encounter on the environment. Apart from taking
large area of land it also generate odour, bio-aerosols, visual disturbance and lead to
the release of hazardous chemicals through the leachate which is the liquid that drains
or ‘leaches’ from a landfill sites. Emission of greenhouse gas through landfill is due to
organic breakdown of disposal of biodegradable including bio plastic waste.

2.1.2 Incineration
Incineration is a significant method that avoids the problem of landfilling space
problems. In this method, thermal waste treatment procedure takes place where raw or
unprocessed plastics waste can be utilized as feedstock. Plastic waste is combusted in
different temperature according to the type of plastic and in this period plastic waste
modified to carbon dioxide, water and non-combustible materials alongside solid
residue state leaves incinerator bottom ash