<
https://theconversation.com/plastic-pollution-hotspots-pinpointed-in-new-research-india-ranks-top-due-to-high-levels-of-uncollected-waste-237798>
"We have used machine learning to identify the biggest plastic pollution
hotspots across more than 50,000 towns, cities and rural areas worldwide. Our
new global model reveals the most detailed picture of plastic pollution ever
created with the highest environmental concentrations in India, predominantly
because so much of its waste isn’t collected.
Plastic has been found everywhere – from deep ocean trenches to the highest
mountain tops, but these observations only reveal isolated snapshots of the
overall plastic pollution picture. A bigger challenge is to find out where and
how this plastic reaches the environment in the first place, so pollution can
be prevented at source.
This is no easy task. The most challenging aspects to measure are the
“emissions” – the macroplastic (anything bigger than 5mm in size) that escapes
or is released from material systems and activities. This includes waste
blowing from rubbish bins or falling off collection trucks plus litter being
dropped by people, either accidentally or intentionally.
We found that littering is the largest emission source in the developed world
where waste management systems are highly controlled. Conversely, in developing
countries uncollected waste is the dominant source."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
